Senior Environmental Scientist

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is hiring a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) in Los Angeles, CA. This permanent, full-time position involves leading a team in assessing and cleaning up hazardous sites, providing technical direction, and participating in program development. The role emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and requires high-level technical skills in environmental investigations.
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-512991

Position #(s): 810-563-0764-002

Working Title: Unit Chief

Classification: SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

Salary Range: $10,854.00 - $13,493.00

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Los Angeles County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Chatsworth Regional Office

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC’s Regional office in Chatsworth, CA. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.

Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.

Core Values: DTSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions.

Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!

Department Website: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/

Job Description and Duties

Are you an experienced scientist that is enthusiastic about assessing, investigating, and cleaning up dry cleaner sites in California? Are you eager to lead a unit that is protecting the environment and health of all Californians? If so, then you are the right person for the Discovery and Enforcement (D&E) Program within the Site Mitigation and Restoration Program (SMRP) of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). We are looking for a highly motivated and adaptable individual to join our team. Come join us today!

As a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) you will have the opportunity to:
• Provide technical direction and training to staff who oversee environmental investigations and cleanup activities at properties where hazardous materials, substances or waste were released into the environment
• Participate in program development activities to support the establishment of the D&E program
• Utilize high‑level technical skills to oversee investigation and cleanup of sites with hazardous materials
• Oversee and assist staff in evaluating appropriate sampling and mitigation techniques, based on acceptable scientific theories and procedures
• Provide analysis and guidance for remediation technologies and the selection of the best remedial alternative, participate in project meetings related to project specific issues, negotiations with responsible parties and/or project proponents, and settlement meetings
• Monitor staff’s review of site mitigation‑related documents for compliance with applicable standards and requirements, conduct oversight of field work consistent with DTSC approved workplans, and ensure remediation work meets federal and state standards

Desirable Qualifications We Look For
• Experience with writing work plans and reports for assessment, investigation, and/or cleanup of contaminated sites
• Demonstrated job experience with application of scientific principles and industry standards relating to the investigation and cleanup processes for CERCLA and/or RCRA sites
• Experience with contract and contractor management, preparing project budgets, resource projections, schedules, cost estimates, tracking of project and contract activities, and/or preparing briefings/updates for upper management
• Demonstrated experience with mentoring or supervising staff, providing leadership and/or training on technical topics related to site investigation/cleanup processes, and/or participation in workgroups for guidance development

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

Special Requirements
• The position requires a valid California Driver’s License (CDL). You must provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified. The SOQ should be no more than one page in length, be clearly written and well‑organized, and be single spaced, Arial font, size 12, with one‑inch margins. Provide direct responses to each of the SOQs listed below. Each individual response must be numbered and include the full text of the SOQ prior to each response. Please address how you meet each SOQ using specific examples of your education, training, and experience.

SOQ Requirements
• Describe your education, training, and job experience working on assessment, investigation, and/or cleanup of potentially contaminated sites.
• Describe your supervision and/or mentorship experience.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date 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: 4/16/2026

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 electronically through your CalCareer account at https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/. If you choose to submit a hard‑copy application, a completed copy of the application package listing must be included.

Address for Mailing Application Packages:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Headquarters
Attn: Talent Acquisition
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812‑0806

Address for Drop‑Off Application Packages:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
CalEPA
Talent Acquisition
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814‑2828

Drop‑off applications must be received and date stamped by 5:00 PM on the final filing date. Working hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Required Application Package Documents
• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD 678 (when not applying electronically), or the electronic state employment application through your applicant account at www.calcareers.ca.gov. All experience and education related 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 – A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your employment application (STD 678). Please refer to the “Special Requirements” section above for additional information.

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.