ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

The Department of Food & Agriculture is hiring an Environmental Scientist in California to analyze environmental and food samples for pesticide residues, conduct method validations, and ensure compliance with regulations. The role involves both laboratory work and potential telework arrangements as per policy. The position requires expertise in scientific methods and data analysis related to environmental contaminants.
Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent will conduct analyses, gather scientific data, review and report on pesticides and other chemicals that effect the environment and the food supply. The incumbent is responsible for providing depositions and analytical expertise on disputed analytical results. The Environmental Scientist (ES) position is a single classification where the incumbent can be assigned any duties within the class concept.
• Analyze environmental and food samples, such as water, soil, foliage, produce, milk, swabs, biological materials, clothing, commercial fertilizers, and air using gas and liquid chromatograph coupled with various detectors such as mass spectrometer to obtain quantitative values of environmental contaminants including toxins, pesticides, and their metabolites.
• Conduct analyses and collect critical, realistic pesticide residue data for the local, state and federal agencies in their risk assessment and enforcement activities and to assist in developing pollution prevention strategies and assess regulatory requirements.
• Review or revise existing methods, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and work instructions using established scientific techniques and methods to meet customer needs; determine the accuracy and validity of the methods on new matrices and on alternate technologies.
• Perform validation of analytical methods according to laboratory procedures and protocols to ensure established scientific techniques are followed, meet customer needs, and in compliance with ISO 17025 requirements.
• Prepare environmental and food samples for analysis using appropriate extraction, clean-up, and digestion techniques to ensure sample quality meets the specified requirements in the SOPs.
• Prepare sample extracts following established SOPs to meet calibration range and linearity.
• Perform basic daily routine maintenance of equipment as specified in equipment manual and laboratory procedures that meets client needs and complies with contract requirements.
• Perform and document troubleshooting and basic instrument repairs as specified in equipment manuals and laboratory procedures in order to ensure data quality.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

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

Working Conditions

The Center for Analytical Chemistry has free parking and is within walking distance of a light rail station.

The duties of this job are performed indoors approximately 100% of the time. Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA’s Telework Policy. The employee’s workplace is the CAC which has laboratory equipment necessary for performing the required analyses. The employee has a desk space, books, and a computer necessary to perform required tasks. The building has an air-conditioning/heating system. The employee may be occasionally exposed to fumes, gases, or odors when solvents or acids are not properly placed in fume hoods. Noise levels near fume hoods may reach higher than normal level and earplugs or earmuffs are provided in these areas.

WARNING: Detectable amounts of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm are or may be found in or around this facility. (California Health and Safety Code, Section 25249.6).

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents
• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-454016

Position #(s):

014-749-0762-004

Working Title:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Classification:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,269.00 - $5,748.00 A

$5,188.00 - $7,000.00 B

$6,566.00 - $8,877.00 C

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Food and Agricultures Inspection Services Division, Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) provides valuable services to California related to food and environmental safety issues including crop protection, farm worker safety, data gathering activities, and emergency response. The CAC uses state of the art equipment and processes to test fruits, vegetables, nuts, and animal fertilizer, to ensure that pesticide and chemical levels are within the safety range established by national and international standards. The CAC also serves the nation as a member of the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN). CAC’s clients are comprised of local, state and federal governmental agencies that are responsible for monitoring the nation’s food supply.

Special Requirements

I. This position requires a completed Health Questionnaire and Physician’s Report prior to appointment.

II. Applicants are required to complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard state application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678).

The SOQ is intended to elicit information regarding each candidate’s interest and experience in relation to this position. SOQs that do not address the questions below may not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be accepted in lieu of the SOQ.

Provide responses to the following four (4) questions not to exceed three (3) typed 8-1/2” x 11” pages, using 12-point Arial font:

1. The Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) supports multiple clients in the enforcement and regulatory arenas. There is on-going need for method development work for the analysis of environmental contaminants. Describe how your education, experience and skill make you the ideal candidate for an Environmental Scientist position at the CAC.

2. Describe your experience working in a fast-paced laboratory environment. How do you safeguard data defensibility/integrity while completing urgent analytical tasks?

3. Describe your experience with Microsoft Visual Basic applications for laboratory data processing.

4. How do you stay current with technological advances relevant to your work?

Submit a State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your CalCareer Account at www.jobs.ca.gov. 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 submitted.
• College degree is required and must be submitted.

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.

Application Instructions

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: Until Filled

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 Food & Agriculture

Attn: Human Resource Branch JC-454016

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resource Branch JC-454016

1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento, CA 95814

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-454016

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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
• Statement of Qualifications -

A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section.

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.

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:

Education and Experience in analytical chemistry.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Suzanne Conrad
(916) 228-6827
suzanne.conrad@cdfa.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 06/2024 version.

Additional Information

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. 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.