ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.


This is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) position that may be extended up to 24 months or may become permanent.


Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent performs a broad range of scientific and professional office and field duties involving the research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics for the Biological Control Program and the Integrated Pest Control Branch.


As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the "essential functions" of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!


This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions


Approximately 60% of the workload will be in permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the State or cooperating agencies or other locations. The setting is standard with a phone, computer, keyboard, desks, tables, chairs, fax machine, copier, stapler, printers, calculators, and writing instruments. Computer software used may include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher as well as other databases/software created especially for a given research task.


The remaining 40% of the workload requires traveling to remote and/or populated areas within the State of California via government (State or Federal) vehicle (car/truck). Incumbent will be required to travel. Travel may be on a short notice that requires full days or few to several nights in length.


When working in the field, the incumbent works alone or with a group of field scientists and/or seasonals. Incumbent works with varied and unfamiliar vehicles and equipment, including excavators, airboats, kayaks, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Often, activities may require driving for several hours (alone or with company), lifting objects, and moving equipment of various weights. Also, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and often aquatic or riparian situations. Incumbent may be required to enter or swim in bodies of water (lakes and ponds) that vary in temperature, length, width, and depth. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable.


Incumbent may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays. The incumbent may be required on short notice to work on emergency projects for the Branch or any other program for the Plant Division. The work environment for these projects closely resembles the above and may involve a longer travel day.


This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-530647


Position #(s):
014-453-0762-982

Working Title:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST


Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST $4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Alameda County


Telework:
In Office


Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time


Department Information
The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.


The primary responsibilities of the Integrated Pest Control Branch (IPCB) are the detection and control or eradication of exotic and invasive pests that threaten California's agricultural and natural resources. This is accomplished through a number of General, Federal and Industry funded programs. These programs include Cotton Pest Control Program, Cotton Seed Bug Program, Silverleaf Whitefly Monitoring Program, Beet Curly Top Virus Program, Broomrape Program, Navel Orangeworm Program, Hydrilla Eradication Program, Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program, Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Program, Terrestrial & Aquatic Weed Grant and County Weed Program, Statewide Weed Management Areas, Biological Control Program, Apiary Protection, Bee Brand, and County Beekeeper Registration Program.






Special Requirements
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions/prompts are below.

• Restate questions/prompts prior to response
• Include your name and job control number at the top of each page
• Must be single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, and Arial size 11 font

1. Explain how your education and research experience prepares you for understanding general concepts and methods used in the practice and application of classical biological control of weeds and pests.


2. Describe any experience or training you have in observing, collecting or surveying for species of plants or insects in the field, including any ability to identify specific taxa.


3. Describe your experience collaborating and communicating in a research environment.


Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/15/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resource Branch JC-530647
1220 N Street, Room 242


Sacramento , CA 95814


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Department of Food & Agriculture


Attn: Human Resource Branch JC-530647
1220 N Street, Room 242


Sacramento , CA 95814


08:00 AM - 05:00 PM


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 completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered. Please see the Special Requirements section for the SOQ details.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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



Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Tiffany Nissen
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Additional Information:


Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.


Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.