SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Caltrans is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) in San Luis Obispo, CA, to prepare and review complex environmental documents and studies, focusing on NEPA compliance for local agency transportation projects. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders and requires in-depth knowledge of federal and state environmental policies. This is a permanent, full-time position with a hybrid telework option.
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.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-465449

Position #(s):

905-800-0765-XXX

Working Title:

Biologist

Classification:

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,556.00 - $10,221.00

# of Positions:

Multiple

Work Location:

San Luis Obispo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment.

Caltrans Vision: A brighter future for all through a world-class transportation network.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success. Caltrans is about celebrating diversity, valuing one another, and recognizing that Caltrans is strong not in spite of the diverse attributes of our workforce, but because of our diversity.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description And Duties

Under general direction of the Office Chief, a Supervising Transportation Engineer, is an interdisciplinary team member performing the most complex tasks to facilitate timely delivery of local agency transportation projects and is responsible for preparing and reviewing complex environmental and biological documents, technical studies, and analytical reports and having an in-depth knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Incumbent will work daily with Local Assistance staff, Federal environmental regulatory agencies, and local agency staff, including agency consultants. Incumbent will work to advance local assistance projects through NEPA studies and on to construction through project completion, resolve problems, and act on environmental issues pertaining to local projects. Incumbent will analyze and interpret Federal and State statutes, policies and programs that involve federal-aid environmental clearance, including, but not limited to, Chapter 6 of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM), and the Standard Environmental Reference (SER). Incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and approving biological studies and reports and engaging in Section 7 consultation with Federal regulatory agencies under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

PARF# 05-5-833 / JC-465449

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

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

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

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

Special Requirements
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.
• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required.Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications will disqualify candidates from the hiring process.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position. Please include a 1-2 pages, 12-point font, SOQ. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.
• Describe your experience conducting biological assessments and managing environmental compliance for infrastructure or transportation projects. Highlight your familiarity with regulatory requirements (such as NEPA, Section 7, and permitting) and provide an example of how you successfully navigated challenges related to permitting, mitigation, or interagency coordination.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

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: 3/28/2025

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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 Transportation

N/A

Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact

Certification Services MS-90

P O Box 168036

Sacramento , CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Transportation

Drop-Off Address

Caltrans DHR Contact

Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS

1727 30th Street, MS 90

Sacramento , CA 95816

Closed on weekends and State Holidays

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

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.