Environmental Scientist, Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety

Environmental Scientist, Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety

Organization/Grantor: Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety

Position/Title/Fund: Environmental Scientist

Type/Term: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $4,418 - $9,321 per month

Description: This position is pending budget approval as part of the State's Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and will only be hired on or after July 1, 2026, if the budget for this position is approved.

Are you looking to make a difference and join a highly motivated team working on issues critical to ensuring the safety and sustainability of California? The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety’s Environmental Science Division is seeking an Environmental Scientist to analyze performance with vegetation management commitments in electrical utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans (WMP).

The Environmental Science Division is responsible for evaluating the vegetation management aspects of utility WMPs, assessing performance in meeting vegetation management‑related commitments described in the WMPs, and ensuring that each utility is reducing its risk of igniting a catastrophic wildfire. To this end, Division scientists review regulatory filings and utility procedures, analyze reported data, perform audits, conduct field inspections, publish findings, and engage with the utilities and interested parties.

Division scientists serve as subject‑matter experts in utility vegetation management and environmental policy related to wildfire risk reduction. Our team of scientists is highly collaborative and works closely with the Performance Assessment, Electric Safety Policy, and Data Analytics Divisions.

Under general direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor of the Inspections & Investigations Branch, the incumbent will inspect vegetation near electrical infrastructure, write inspection reports, write inspection plans to assess electrical corporation performance with approved Wildfire Mitigation Plans (WMPs) and other regulatory requirements of the Department associated with forestry, wildfire science, and the environment. Incumbent will also investigate concerns raised by external parties and other potential WMP deficiencies, conduct critical and/or sensitive scientific investigations and studies and prepare guidance, policy, planning, or regulatory documents and legislative proposals on issues of importance to the department.

Incumbent will identify issues found in the field and elevate to the Supervisor with proposed recommendations. The incumbent will develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external agency partners. The incumbent will be the subject matter expert on vegetation management programs to assess electrical utility performance with approved WMPs and other regulatory requirements of the Department associated with forestry, wildfire science, climate change and the environment.

Occasional travel may be required. Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state‑owned or leased vehicle. Travel may be performed up to 35%.

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

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 wildfire, vegetation management and/or forestry science and approaches to reducing wildfire risk.
• Experience performing inspections, documenting and communicating findings.
• Experience as a technical scientist working with members of the public, external stakeholders, and agency representatives.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present complex scientific findings to non‑scientific audiences through written reports and presentations.
• Ability to coordinate with individuals from different professional backgrounds.
• Experience with regulatory processes and compliance and enforcement of regulations.
• Experience working under tight timelines.