Environmental Scientist

Under the supervision of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who will be responsible for preparing and reviewing environmental documents, technical studies, and analytical reports to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and numerous state and federal environmental resource laws and regulations.

PARF 11-27-0001 / JC-525070

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist e xam. 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.

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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions


Position located at 4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, San Diego County.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

While at your base of operation, you will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting in a office. Frequent travel and field work are required within the Region. Some fieldwork requires the ability to work in a variety of climatic and geographical conditions. You may be required to travel to offices and field locations, as well as occasional travel outside of the Region.


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-525070


Position #(s):
911-170-0762-911

Working Title:
Environmental Scientist


Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST $4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
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 Diego County


Telework:
In Office


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Facility:
California Department of Transportation


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:

Director's EEO Policy :

Director's EEO Policy Statement:


Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

• Please answer each of the questions, in order. SOQ should be no more than 3-pages, single spaces, 11-point font. Failure to complete the SOQ will result in disqualification.

• Describe your experience coordinating environmental permits for transportation, infrastructure, or other complex development projects. Include examples of permits such as Clean Water Act Section 404, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Coastal Development Permits, Endangered Species Act consultations, or similar environmental authorizations. In your response, discuss the following (1) Your role and level of responsibility; (2) The agencies involved; (3) How you developed and maintained working relationships with regulatory agencies; (4) Challenges encountered during permit negotiations; (5) The final outcome of the project.
• Caltrans projects often require balancing environmental compliance, engineering needs, project schedules, budgets, and regulatory requirements. Describe a project in which competing priorities created challenges during environmental compliance or permitting and include the following: (1) The project background; (2) The environmental issues involved; (3) The stakeholders with differing priorities; (4) How you evaluated options; (5) How you achieved compliance while supporting project delivery; (6) Lessons learned.
• This position requires preparing technically accurate environmental documents, permit applications, regulatory correspondence, and environmental analyses. Describe your experience preparing environmental documentation.
• Environmental Scientists at Caltrans frequently manage multiple assignments simultaneously while coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, regulatory agencies, and project managers. Describe your approach to managing competing priorities across multiple projects. Your response should address the following (1) How you organize your workload; (2) How you track permit milestones and regulatory commitments; (3) How you communicate schedule risks; (4) How you coordinate with project managers, engineers, biologists, and regulatory agencies.
• A specific example where your organization or proactive communication prevented project delays.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: or . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.


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: 8/2/2026
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 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-525070
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-525070
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 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.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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:


Education: Possession of a bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline. (Admission to a masters or doctoral degree program in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline shall be considered to meet these education qualifications.)


In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to the extent and type of pertinent experience and education over and above that required under "Minimum Qualifications. Experience in management, research, planning, or consultation in environmental programs, demonstrated environmental management skills, and knowledge of broad principles of economics , social science, and political science will be given preference.


Some positions within the Department of Health Services may require possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist in the State of California pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 514-534.


Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.


Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
Jesse Salinas
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Hiring Unit Contact:
Alexandra Mercado
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Important Applications Instructions:


The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-525070), PARF# 11-27-0001 and title of the position (Environmental Scientist) must be included on the STD. 678 form.


Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.


Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.


NOTE: Do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver's license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.


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.