Unit Chief

Job Description and Duties

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Site Mitigation and Restoration Program is looking for highly qualified and motivated staff to assist with the investigation and remediation of contaminated properties and the assessment of landfills experiencing subsurface elevated temperature events in the Greater Los Angeles area. This Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I position has direct reports and is responsible for the oversight of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill project located in Castaic. This challenging site requires applying engineering, geotechnical, and regulatory expertise to ensure compliance with DTSC’s Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Determination and Order.

As a Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide technical direction and training to staff who oversee environmental investigations and cleanup activities at property where hazardous materials, substances, or waste were released into the environment, including implementation of Removal Action Workplans, and equivalents to ensure compliance with procedures/policies
• Provide guidance on staff’s review of submitted documents, field work oversight, regulatory decision making, and communication with responsible parties, project
• Utilize high-level technical skills to oversee investigation and cleanup of property with hazardous materials including naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) and contaminated groundwater problems
• Oversee and assist staff in evaluating appropriate sampling and mitigation techniques, based on accepted engineering principles and practices to ensure accuracy
• Provide engineering analysis and conceptual engineering design guidance for remediation technologies and the selection of the best remedial alternative, participate in project meetings related to project specific issues, negotiations with responsible parties and/or project proponents, and settlement meetings
• Monitor staff’s review of documents for compliance with applicable standards and requirements, conducts oversight of field work consistent with DTSC approved workplans, and ensures remediation work meets federal and state standards, including compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

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 telework 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

• 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.

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 2 pages in length typed in Arial, 12-point font. Your response should include references to the information in the position’s duty statement.

Your SOQ should address the following:

Please describe why you are the best candidate for this position. Include your experience leading teams, managing environmental conditions at landfills, and oversight of hazardous substances releases.

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:

• Experience assessing, investigating, or remediating properties with releases of hazardous substances
• Experience working for or under the oversight of an environmental regulatory agency
• Project management experience
• Experience with written and verbal science communication, including preparation of investigation, cleanup and/or Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reports and work plans
• Experience working with landfill regulations or landfills experiencing subsurface elevated temperature events
• Experience conducting or reviewing geotechnical analysis
• Experience leading teams or managing staff

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# 533475 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.

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 and 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.