Senior Environmental Scientist; Specialist

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Department: Department of Toxic Substances Control

Classification: JC-521132 – Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Salary: $7,820.00 – $10,732.00 per month (minimum salary for new-to-state candidates)

Location: DTSC Field Office, San Diego, CA (Hybrid telework)

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Work Schedule: Hybrid with occasional travel

• Serve as scientific lead on complex scientific and technical investigatory work, independently planning, coordinating, and implementing critical sampling plans and analyses for investigations of hazardous waste violations.
• Conduct research and gather information on scientific properties, procedures, and testing options from academia, scientific journals, state and federal regulations, CUPA officials, and industry sources, and communicate key findings to relevant parties.
• Identify key evidential points, analyze research, and produce timely, clear, concise reports and presentations that recommend how to maximize staff resources and institute scientifically sound sampling procedures.
• Lead or assist investigations of major, large, high‑profile, multi‑media, and statewide cases involving violations of the state hazardous waste law.
• Determine the scope of enforcement projects by identifying responsible parties, coordinating with multiple agencies, and assessing widespread or repeat offenses to pursue comprehensive enforcement action.

• Proven experience leading complex environmental investigations, inspections, or enforcement.
• Experience in the Environmental Scientist classification or equivalent.
• Ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and independent action skills.
• Team leadership experience and mentoring of less experienced staff.
• Passion for environmental protection and understanding of the Office of Criminal Investigations’ role within DTSC.

Benefit information is available on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E‑Verify for employment authorization purposes.

The State of California is an equal‑opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), gender or gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace;

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.