Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in furthering the State's commitment to reduce climate change? Would you like to be a part a new team evaluating and enforcing the State's landmark legislation for climate change through organics collection and recycling? Do you have experience in evaluating and verifying compliance with environmental laws? Are you motivated about the opportunity to oversee and accomplish compliance at the local level to achieve statewide environmental goals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be the job for you!

CalRecycle is looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking leader to help implement and enforce our statewide regulations and minimum standards, like Senate Bill 1383. This position involves performing compliance oversight for various entities including cities and counties, special districts, schools, colleges and universities, and state agencies/facilities for compliance with several environmental laws (e.g., AB 939, AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383) with an emphasis on cross-division collaboration. This position requires in-depth research and problem-solving skills to make environmental compliance and enforcement recommendations for reports, notice of violations (NOVs), corrective action plans (CAPs), agenda items, or other enforcement documents to achieve statewide climate change reduction goals. You will travel up to 25% as well as have the flexibility to telework and/or be office-based. Travel may involve multiple, consecutive days away from the office and overnight stays.

This position requires that you possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your applications. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions. Failing to maintain a valid CDL will result in a failure to meet job requirements.

Please note: This recruitment includes two Environmental Scientist positions within the same division, but in different units.

As of July 1st, 2026, the position is office-centered, and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week. This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program needs. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the positions designated headquarter location, as reflected on the duty statement and at their own expense.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

When submitting application in hard copy, applicants are required to submit a standard state application (Form Std.678) with an original signature, and clearly indicate RPA 26-058 & 26-059 & Position # 835-808-0762-001 & 835-807-0762-004 in the “Job Title(s)” section of the Standard State Application or you will not be considered for the position.

Please attach a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) to your application to ensure the educational requirements have been met for this position. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Interpreting laws and regulations and/or assessing compliance with rules and standards.
• Conducting field inspections or field studies.
• Writing inspection reports or technical reports or papers, including guidance documents.
• Working collaboratively with stakeholders, multiple agencies or within multidisciplinary teams, and others from diverse backgrounds.
• High-level media engagement and communications experience.
• Proficiency in databases, MS products such as Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as other software such as ArcGIS to support evaluations, inspections reports, and other work products.

Benefits

In addition to a compelling vision for California, CalRecycle offers competitive pay, benefits, and features for its workforce. To review the pay and benefits offered to California civil service staff, please review CalHR's website at

Statement of Qualifications

Applicants must complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how the applicant's skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. Applications received without this information may not be considered for this position. SOQ should have a title of “Statement of Qualifications, Your Name,” be no more than 2 pages, and no smaller than 12-point font.

1. Please describe a recent assignment or project you accomplished, including the process you used to ensure it was complete, accurate, and in compliance with laws, rules, policies and procedures. Provide dates and your position title when you performed these duties.
2. Please describe a time when you conducted compliance oversight for a new, existing or revised law, regulation, policy, standard or procedure. Provide dates and your position title when you performed these duties.
3. Please describe your experience in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with multiple groups to achieve shared goals and objectives. Describe how group projects were managed to ensure that they were finished on time. Provide dates and your position title when you performed these duties.

Please note Resumes, letters, Supplemental Questionnaire, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Responses must be numbered and submitted in the same order. Applications received without an SOQ may be rejected.

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 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 required and must be included.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section below for instructions.