SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Job Description and Duties

Are you seeking to join a vibrant team of scientists, engineers and analysts dedicated to preserving and protecting California’s wildlife, people and environment? Embrace challenges and opportunities that push your skills to new heights by becoming a valued member of the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Enforcement Performance Management Branch! Join us today!

As a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) you will have the opportunity to:

• Settle enforcement actions for violations cited during inspections
• Collaborate with other EERD regional offices, the Office of Legal Counsel, the Office of Criminal Investigations, the Attorney General’s Office and other Boards, Departments, or Offices to settle enforcement cases in a timely and consistent manner
• Coordinate case development with prosecuting attorneys and related agency staff
• Prepare and process consent orders or enforcement orders for settling administrative enforcement actions
• Prepare legal enforcement referrals and administrative orders for violations of state statutes, regulations, and permit requirements, as appropriate
• Participate in settlement negotiations of enforcement cases and represent DTSC in administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions
• Continuously improve the enforcement program by assessing processes, identifying opportunities to increase efficiencies, and provide data-driven solutions to management

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

• Strong technical writing skills
• Inspection and enforcement work experience
• Experience developing and delivering presentations on scientific, technical, or regulatory topics
• Experience with serving as a team lead
• An understanding of environmental regulation and/or hazardous waste
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint), Smartsheet’s, and experience utilizing different databases
• Ability to manage projects while working with a variety of parties and staying on schedule
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, management, and the public, and as a member of a team
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Excellent conflict resolution skills

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. The position is currently headquartered in Sacramento, CA.

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.

This position has been reposted. If you have previously applied for JC-509743 your application will NOT be considered. Therefore, you must apply to JC-528390 to be considered.

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

The SOQ responses should reflect your own experience and perspective and be written in your own words. It should be no more than 2 pages in length, be clearly written and well organized, and in Arial font size 12.

Your SOQ should address the following:

1. Please describe how your work experience has prepared you for this Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) position. Provide specific examples. Reference the duty statement as needed.

2. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) facilitates settlement negotiations with violators. Difficult or combative violators often lead to conflicts in settlement meetings. Provide details on how you manage conflicts and find resolutions. Please provide one specific example.

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 #: 528390  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 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.
• 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.