Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

DTSC is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join our Berkeley office as a Project Manager in the Site Mitigation and Restoration Program. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting investigations and cleanups at some of California’s most complex contaminated sites, including federal Superfund locations. Join our multi-disciplinary, cross-program team and help protect public health and the environment – apply today!

• Reviews or prepares technical reports and other documents including, but not limited to: Phase I., Preliminary Endangerment Assessments/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Assessments, Develops and reviews Site Characterization workplans and reports that document site conditions and support technical review, compliance, and cleanup decision-making
• Ensures these deliverables provide the necessary information for project managers, legal counsel, management, and regulatory partners to carry out oversight and meet program requirements.
• Sampling and Analysis Plans, Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments, pilot and treatability studies, feasibility studies, remedy selection documents, design, implementation, and completion reports, operation and maintenance plans, five-year reviews and long-term monitoring reports for compliance with approved plans.
• Evaluates scientific data, site conditions, and the potential overall impact to public health and the environment and makes risk management decisions that support selection of remedy and allows integration of the remedy with site development; reviews or prepares cost estimates and coordinates with the other DTSC staff to ensure adequate financial assurance mechanisms are in-place for the selected remedy and long-term operation and maintenance

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.  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 telework policy and/or future program needs. 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.

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

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualification (SOQ) Instructions

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(s) in length, 12pt Arial font, and normal margins. 

Your SOQ should address the following:

1. P lease describe how your education, professional experience, and relevant qualifications have prepared you to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities outlined in the Duty Statement.

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:

• Knowledge and experience with site assessment and cleanup (i.e. Phase I, Preliminary Endangerment Assessment, Site Characterization, Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment, Remedy Selection, Remedy Implementation, etc.), technical and regulatory requirements (CERCLA, RCRA), and framework.
• Experience in managing multiple projects with sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Experience and ability to work with a diverse, multidisciplinary team of professionals to achieve DTSC Site Mitigation and Restoration Program’s mission.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills and experience in communicating with a wide range of audiences including but not limited to the public, and federal, state, and local agencies.
• Experience in overseeing contractor work and in contract and database management.
• Budgeting, project scoping or costing experience

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# 537404  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 .

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