What are the responsibilities and job description for the SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) position at Caltrans?
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-502742
Position #(s):
908-101-0765-XXX
Working Title:
Resource Agency Mitigation Coordinator
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
San Bernardino County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director’s EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Job Description And Duties
Under general direction of the Office Chief, Environmental Planning, the Senior Environmental Planner (Specialist) coordinates and negotiates with Federal Highway Administration and appropriate state and federal resource agencies for projects consistency and efficiency; coordinates and negotiates with public and private stakeholders as appropriate to develop and implement Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCP'S), conservation/ mitigation banks, and other environmental mitigation efforts; tracks and negotiates resource agency deliverables and priorities; sets up quarterly meeting with resource agencies; serves to facilitate and address biology related training needs within the District for staff and external agency/stakeholders; leads District Biological efforts during the project planning stage; facilitates the implementation of Context Sensitive Solutions within the project development process; researches; develops and facilitates grant projects that can be used as both project mitigation and resource agency stewardship; writes programmatic agreements; serves to facilitate biological request from Department Headquarters; serves as the District contact with the Desert Mangers' Group and with Bureau of Land Management; writes and develops district participates in biological surveys and field investigations in support of applicable state and federal environmental requirements, including resource agency permits; reviews and comments on environmental documents and technical reports; and assesses the effectiveness of current mitigation process within the district.
PARF# 08-6-013 / JC-502742
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.
https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 1/4/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact - JC-502742
1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor
Santa Ana , CA 92705
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
Caltrans DHR Contact - JC-502742
1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor
Santa Ana , CA 92705
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-502742
Position #(s):
908-101-0765-XXX
Working Title:
Resource Agency Mitigation Coordinator
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
San Bernardino County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director’s EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Job Description And Duties
Under general direction of the Office Chief, Environmental Planning, the Senior Environmental Planner (Specialist) coordinates and negotiates with Federal Highway Administration and appropriate state and federal resource agencies for projects consistency and efficiency; coordinates and negotiates with public and private stakeholders as appropriate to develop and implement Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCP'S), conservation/ mitigation banks, and other environmental mitigation efforts; tracks and negotiates resource agency deliverables and priorities; sets up quarterly meeting with resource agencies; serves to facilitate and address biology related training needs within the District for staff and external agency/stakeholders; leads District Biological efforts during the project planning stage; facilitates the implementation of Context Sensitive Solutions within the project development process; researches; develops and facilitates grant projects that can be used as both project mitigation and resource agency stewardship; writes programmatic agreements; serves to facilitate biological request from Department Headquarters; serves as the District contact with the Desert Mangers' Group and with Bureau of Land Management; writes and develops district participates in biological surveys and field investigations in support of applicable state and federal environmental requirements, including resource agency permits; reviews and comments on environmental documents and technical reports; and assesses the effectiveness of current mitigation process within the district.
PARF# 08-6-013 / JC-502742
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.
https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI
Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
- Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.
- Describe how your experience and education make you the best candidate for this Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) position.
- Describe your experience identifying significant biological impacts. What was your recommended avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measure, if any? Was your recommendation accepted by the project team and/or regulatory agencies? If not, why?
- Describe your experience successfully resolving complex biological mitigation requirements for transportation related projects. How did this impact project scope, schedule, cost?
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 1/4/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact - JC-502742
1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor
Santa Ana , CA 92705
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
Caltrans DHR Contact - JC-502742
1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor
Santa Ana , CA 92705
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications -
- Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
Salary : $7,820 - $10,732