Environmental Science and Policy Advisor

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) is seeking a candidate who can blend scientific expertise with legislative insight to support policies that protect California communities from hazardous materials. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the Legislature, translate complex technical information into clear guidance, and help shape high-impact environmental policy. If you excel at science communication, legislative analysis, and strategic coordination, this role provides a meaningful way to advance OLA’s mission while influencing decisions that safeguard public health. Join us today!

As an Environmental Scientist you will have the opportunity to:

• Receive, log, track, and respond to inquiries from legislative offices, advocacy groups, and regulated entities regarding legislation and DTSC’s programs and actions
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and program and executive staff to develop accurate, timely, and consistent responses
• Oversee the maintenance of a database of constituent inquiries and responses to promote accountability and identify recurring themes
• Review and analyze legislation that that could affect DTSC using an in-depth scientific understanding of California’s manufacturers, businesses, hazardous materials, hazardous waste handling processes and procedures, and site mitigation practices to ensure the best legislative outcomes for DTSC and its mission
• Participate in meetings with legislative staff, stakeholders, and program experts to support communication of technical assistance
• Evaluate legislation from a technical perspective and work closely with DTSC program staff to ensure the legislation, if passed, can be adequately implemented as envisioned by the Legislature

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

• Ability to clearly communicate complex scientific, technical, and regulatory information in writing and verbally to legislative offices, advocacy groups, and regulated entities
• Experience analyzing legislation related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste management, site mitigation, or chemical regulation, with skill in evaluating programmatic and fiscal impacts
• Demonstrated success coordinating work across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring timely, consistent, and accurate responses and briefing materials for legislative hearings and high-profile departmental decisions
• Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to identify emerging issues affecting/impacting environmental issues in California and analyze data using tools/databases (CalEnviroScreen, EnviroStor, GovBuddy, and Capitol Track) important for legislative analysis and engagement, and constituency affairs
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with experience developing talking points, testimony packets, background materials, and follow-up documentation for legislative engagements

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here .

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.

Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.

The SOQ should be no more than 1 page front and back, using 12- point font.

Your SOQ should address the following:

1. Describe your experience communicating complex scientific or technical information to non - technical audiences, such as legislative offices, stakeholders, or the public. Include specific examples demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and timeliness.

2. Explain your background in analyzing policy issues related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste, site mitigation, or chemical regulation. Highlight how your analysis supported program implementation or informed policy decisions.

3. Provide an example of when you coordinated input across multiple programs or subject matter experts to prepare briefing materials, testimony, or other legislative deliverables. Explain your role, approach, and the outcome.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Additional Application Instructions

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.

For mail-in or drop-off applications, please include JC #:531547 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.

Pending Budget Approval - DTSC will obtain all necessary approvals prior to extending a job offer.

Foreign Degrees

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degree/ transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

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.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the "Special Requirements” section above for additional information.

• Other - Cover Letter