SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction and guidance of the Environmental Program Manager I, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) serves as the lead scientist for the Hazardous Waste (HW) Program and oversees compliance with all federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations. The incumbent coordinates hazardous waste pickups; tracks waste from request through transport to permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facilities; and maintains required documentation and records, including manifests. Responsibilities also include managing the HW program budget, preparing projections, and reports and responding to all hazardous waste related queries. The incumbent promotes waste minimization by diverting materials from being disposal when waste can legally be reused or recycled. Additional duties include overseeing budgets, execute annual program budget, review multi-year contracts, establishing program priorities, interpret and implementing policies, and strategic planning. The incumbent serves as the senior subject matter expert and resolves the most complex environmental compliance issues.

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 Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about  PLP 2025 , visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

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.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors.

Real ID Act: Effective May 31, 2025, and in accordance with the Real ID Act of 2005, access to all military installations will require a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card issued by the DMV. Individuals who do not have a REAL ID must present one of the following acceptable alternative documents: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or an active or retired military ID.

For more information about the Real ID Act of 2005, visit Congress.gov For details on how to apply for a REAL ID, visit DMV.ca.gov .

This position requires background investigation and the issuance and continued possession of a Department of Defense (DoD) Common Access Card (CAC), as a condition of employment. The CAC is required to access certain facilities, systems, or information necessary to perform the duties of the position.

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: 8/10/2026

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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:

Military Department

CA Military Dept.

Attn: State Personnel - Box 27

10601 Bear Hollow Drive

Rancho Cordova , CA 95670-6350

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Military Department

CA Military Dept.

State Personnel - Box 27

10601 Bear Hollow Drive

Rancho Cordova , CA 95670-6350

Drop-off at security check-in.

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 Statement of Qualifications is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. Applications received without an SOQ based on the instructions below will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications.
  • Restate each question in full prior to providing a response. Do not abbreviate or reword the questions.
  • Include the applicant’s name, Job Control Number, and “Statement of Qualifications” at the top right of the first page.
  • Maximum two (2) pages, must be single-spaced.
  • Arial size 11 font 
  1. Describe your experience managing hazardous waste programs, including compliance, education, outreach, and regulatory assistance.
  2. Describe your experience managing contracts, tracking deliverables, monitoring budgets, and preparing required reports.
  3. Describe your experience managing/preparing regulatory documentation and consulting with environmental regulatory agencies (e.g., CUPAs).
  

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

CMD offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:

• Alternative work schedules
  
• Flexible work hours
  
• Remote work options
  
• Lodging & Camping
  
• Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
  
• Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
  
• More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
  
• More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
  
• Health insurance in retirement
  
• Employee Assistance Program
  
• Loan forgiveness under the federal  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Employees from the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) may be eligible to transfer prior service credit to State of California employment through CalPERS.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Classification & Pay
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

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:
Sally Gill
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Requirements

Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ’s with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ’s, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Any documents you submit for a job vacancy such as your state application, resume, cover letter, educational transcripts, etc. SHOULD NOT contain any confidential information, including your Social Security Number (SSN).

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. .