Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Are you an environmental scientist who is passionate about protecting California from harmful and toxic substances? Are you looking to work in a dynamic and fast paced setting? Do you enjoy challenges and opportunities that require you to push your skills and abilities to new levels? Then consider joining the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Waste Evaluation and Recycling Unit’s team!

As an Environmental Scientist you will have the opportunity to:

• Work in conjunction with Senior Environmental Scientists (Specialist) of the Waste Evaluation and Recycling Unit on the interpretation and application of the hazardous waste identification requirements and criteria, as well as the statutory and regulatory exclusions and exemptions available to different waste types and waste management practices including, but not limited to, recyclable materials;
• Develop responses to the inquiries from stakeholders for interpretation of the hazardous waste identification requirements and criteria, as well as the statutory and regulatory exclusions and exemptions;
• Review past DTSC decisions, correspondence, statutes, legislative analyses, regulations, rulemaking document (statement of reasons and federal registers), and any other information relevant to hazardous waste management practices for consistency in the application of regulatory and statutory interpretations;
• Develop and conduct research regarding the evaluation of hazardous waste criteria, including exclusions and exemptions, as a team member of the SB 158 Hazardous Waste Management Report and Plan project; and
• Participate in onsite visits to hazardous waste generation and treatment facilities to evaluate hazardous waste management activities in support of interpretive tasks.

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

• Strong experience in written communication (memos, white papers, publications, fact sheets, FAQs, formal letters, etc.);
• Excellent oral and written skills;
• Experience researching and analyzing complex scientific and regulatory information and developing recommendations;
• Able to solve problems creatively and effectively;
• Knowledge of developing science-based regulations and environmental policies or analyzing proposed legislation;
• An understanding of environmental regulation and/or hazardous waste management; and
• Experience in oral communication (outreach events/activities, customer interface, stakeholder meetings, presentations, etc.).

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 Statement of Qualifications is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education, training, experience, and skills qualify them for the position. The Statement of Qualifications serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing and must be typed, not more than 2 pages in length, single line spaced and 12-point Arial font.

Your SOQ should address the following:

1. Provide details on how you would manage the successful completion of a project for which you have no prior experience?

2. Describe your experience with reading and interpreting laws and/or regulations.

3. Please describe a recent technical project that required you to research and present technical information in a formal setting (e.g., a presentation at a conference or seminar). Please include a description of your audience, how you approached the assignment and whether you would do anything differently and why.

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 #: 529382 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• School Transcripts
• 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.