ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Job Description and Duties

Looking for innovative and impactful work in a fast-evolving industry?

The Department of Cannabis Control is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Environmental Scientist to join the Compliance Inspection Branch in the SoCal Office, San Diego Unit. This position is primarily based Statewide and plays a critical role in ensuring environmental and operational compliance across California’s licensed cannabis facilities.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (SES) (Supervisory) in the San Diego Unit (Unit), within the SoCal Office (Office), part of the Compliance Inspection Branch (Branch), part of the Compliance Division (Division), within the Department of Cannabis Control (Department), the Environmental Scientist (ES) will perform scientific fieldwork and compliance evaluations across all licensed cannabis facilities. The incumbent will be responsible for verifying that licensed facilities are operating in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and environmental protection requirements. The incumbent will conduct onsite inspections, technical assessments, and may participate in investigations within an assigned geographic area. The incumbent may also be required to perform coordinated fieldwork and investigations with other governmental agencies, as needed. The geographical location for this position is located within Southern California; however, may be required to conduct business throughout the State of California (State).

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment?

Join us and help advance California’s cannabis regulatory framework by supporting Division-wide environmental, operational, and compliance oversight.

What You’ll Do:

Scientific Fieldwork & Compliance Inspections

• Conduct onsite inspections of licensed cannabis facilities in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.

• Assess compliance with cannabis and environmental regulations and identify deficiencies.

• Prepare clear inspection reports with supporting documentation.

• Support coordinated inspections and search warrants with investigative or law enforcement entities.

• Communicate compliance findings to licensees, stakeholders, and internal staff.

Records Review & Scientific Evaluation

• Review operational records, inventory data, and tracking system information for compliance.

• Evaluate documentation related to water use, waste management, pesticides, storage, and transport.

• Apply scientific methods to identify non compliance and recommend corrective actions.

• Coordinate with regulatory and investigative partners on cases involving environmental or operational concerns.

Communication, Coordination & Education

• Collaborate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on compliance matters.

• Provide guidance to licensees and industry representatives on environmental and operational requirements.

• Support educational and outreach efforts, including workshops and seminars.

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

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) - Title 11, Section 703 (d) of the California Code of Regulations requires criminal record checks of all personnel who have access to CORI. Pursuant to this requirement, applicants for this position will be required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice and be cleared before hiring. In accordance with CORI procedures, clearance shall be maintained while employed in a CORI-designated position. Additionally, the position routinely works with sensitive and confidential issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of documents and topics pertaining to individuals or to sensitive program matters at all times.

Conflict of Interest (COI) - This position is subject to COI Regulations. The incumbent is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 1st, and within 30 days of leaving office.

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program - The incumbent shall participate in DMV’s EPN Program, which is a process for providing the Department with a report showing the driver’s current public record as recorded by the DMV, and any subsequent convictions, failures to appear, accidents, driver’s license suspensions, driver’s license revocations, or any other actions taken against the driving privilege or license, added to the driver’s DMV record.

Medical Surveillance and Respiratory Protection Program – Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 5144 and the Department’s Injury and Illness Prevention Plan, the incumbent shall participate in the Department’s Medical Surveillance and Respiratory Protection Program due to the potential exposure to dangerous pesticides, molds, and other hazardous substances.

Medical Clearance – In accordance with the provisions of Government Code 18931, a medical clearance is required from the California Department of Human Resources’ (Cal HR) Medical Officer. The medical clearance must be completed, submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to extending an offer of employment.

Travel - The incumbent is required to travel throughout the state of California by various methods of transportation.

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: 10/1/2026

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 Cannabis Control

HRB

Attn: C&R - JC# 531644, FFD 10/01/2026

P.O. Box 419106

Rancho Cordova , CA 95741

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Cannabis Control

Human Resources Branch

C&R - JC# 531644, FFD 10/01/2026

This location is non-operational on weekends and holidays.

2920 Kilgore Road

Rancho Cordova , CA 95670

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Candidates are required to complete a Statement of Qualification (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard State application (STD 678). Only those candidates who submit all required documents by the final filing date will be considered.

  
  Response must be typed in Arial 12 point font, double-spaced and limited to two (2) pages. Resumes, letters, or responses not in relation to the questions provided will not
  be considered a sufficient SOQ.

  
  1. How does your experience prepare you for this role?

  
  2. Provide an example of a situation that required you to meet a goal in a short time frame and the steps you took to accomplish that goal.

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

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources branch
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:
EEO Contact
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 Instructions

If using education to meet the minimum qualifications, as specified in the classification specification, please include a copy of your degree or unofficial transcripts with your application package. Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Applicants who submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State application ( STD. 678). Applicants who fail to submit the most current version may be disqualified. Employment information on the STD 678 MUST be complete with dates, duties, responsibilities, and contact information for supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in being screened out.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.  Electronic application packages must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date. Mail application packages must be postmarked before or on the final filing date. Hand delivered application packages must be hand delivered by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Application packages postmarked, personally delivered, or received via interagency mail after 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date will not be accepted. 

If you have updates to your online application after you have submitted it, contact View email address on calcareers.ca.gov . For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, contact View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov.

For LEAP information, visit and .  For Veterans’ preference information, visit