Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!

Are you looking to join a dynamic team and work on a variety of projects to help protect human health and the environment? The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (DPR) Worker Health and Safety (WHS) Branch is looking for a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor) for the Worker Protection Program (WPP). WPP develops, implements, and evaluates California's pesticide safety regulations for workers, which are intended to provide protections for pesticide handlers and agricultural fieldworkers from pesticide-related exposure. Additionally, WPP develops and disseminates pesticide safety materials and provides outreach and education on pesticide safety to farmworker communities throughout the state. Further, WPP assists with development of mitigation strategies to reduce unacceptable exposures and hazards associated with pesticide use in order to protect workers and the public.

Under general direction of the Environmental Program Manager I, the incumbent performs a full range of tasks focused on evaluation to assess public health and environmental impacts of pesticide use, development of safety regulations to protect workers from potential risks due to pesticide exposure (inhalation from ambient air, dermal, or dietary from food and drinking water), and development and delivery of outreach and education materials designed to increase the awareness of pesticide worker safety issues and concerns based on practical and enforceable measures intended to protect farmworkers from workplace pesticide exposure, as well as to protect family members from exposure to residual pesticides.

Duties include but are not limited to supervising, analyzing, and evaluating staff duties; developing work objectives and performance goals, setting priorities, and establishing timetables for accomplishing staff assignments; and making recommendations for increased protection of workers and persons near pesticide applications; assisting in the development of worker protection strategies and pesticide safety outreach and training projects; communicating with worker advocate group scientists, industry scientists, County Agricultural Commissioner staff, other governmental agency scientists, and the interested public regarding increased protections for workers and persons near pesticide applications; and developing and presenting outreach and educational materials focused on reducing agricultural workers’ exposure to pesticides.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Using a computer up to 8 hours per day • Working in a high rise building • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds • Occasional statewide travel with occasional overnight stays. • Exposure to pesticides or pesticide treated areas may be possible and appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn.

NOTE: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.

Beginning July 1, 2026, it is anticipated this position will be office-centered and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week.

Special Requirements

• This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests.

• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.

• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

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 of agricultural practices
• Scientific research methodology 
• Interest in environmental and human health 
• Critical review of scientific papers
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Proficient knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Products, particularly Excel 
• Supervisory or experience as a lead person 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral 
• Knowledge or experience working with diverse cultural communities 
• Awareness of diverse communities and regional demographics 
• Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity

Benefits

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

Supplemental Questionnaire

You must answer each supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the questions in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.

Instructions: Each response should be on its own piece of paper, no more than one page in length, double-spaced, in 12 pt. Arial font. Indicate your name and question number at the top of each page.

Questions:

1.  Describe your experience supervising staff or acting in a lead capacity, and describe the qualities you think a good supervisor should possess.

2. Describe your experience demonstrating project management skills and your ability to effectively and timely address multiple high priority tasks.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not take the place of the supplemental application.

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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Supplemental Application - A response to the supplemental questions is required to be considered interested/eligible in the position. The supplemental questions and instructions are listed in the "Supplemental Questionnaire" section of this advertisement. You must answer each supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the questions in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.