ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Caltrans is hiring an Environmental Scientist in San Diego, CA. The role involves assessing environmental impacts of transportation projects for permit compliance with various environmental laws. Responsibilities include conducting field surveys, analyzing data, and coordinating with professionals to ensure effective permit submissions. The position is permanent and full-time, with a hybrid telework option available. Caltrans values diversity and aims for a drug-free workplace.
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-471553

Position #(s):

911-170-0762-918

Working Title:

Permits Coordinator

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:

Multiple

Work Location:

San Diego County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

California Department of Transportation

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 despite 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 the direction of the Permitting & Environmental Compliance Branch Chief, the Permit Specialist assesses the impacts of transportation projects on biological/ecological resources for permit compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Endangered Species Act, Federal Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other state and federal laws. The Permits Coordinator is responsible for conducting and/or coordinating the necessary field surveys, compiling and analyzing data, and conducting resource analysis for the inclusion into permit applications to various State and Federal agencies. Additionally, the incumbent identifies, quantifies, and analyzes the environmental impacts of transportation projects on environmental resources and formulates mitigation measures to minimize identified impacts upon natural resources. The incumbent coordinates with a diverse group of multidisciplinary professionals internally and externally to ensure consistent and efficient permit submittal and strives to ensure a positive, cooperative relationship with State and Federal Resource Agencies.

PARF 11-5-331 / JC-471553

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist 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.

T he 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.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to be considered for an interview. Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview. The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, typed in 11-point Arial font, and single-spaced. It should address the following items:
• Describe your knowledge and experience of general permitting trends and permit processes for Army Corps of Engineers section 404 permits, California Department of Fish and Wildlife section 1602 permit, Regional Water Quality Control Board section 401 permit, and Coastal Commission Coastal Development permits.
• Describe your experience reviewing and preparing written correspondence, writing and preparing project reports, studies, white paper analysis proposals, and other environmental science-related technical documents.
• Describe your experience working in a team environment, including but not limited to, conducting studies as a team. Provide examples of how you generated creative ideas to increase efficiency and productivity in a team setting.
• Describe your experience communicating and coordinating with internal and external partners, including preparing and delivering presentations, workshops, and outreach projects.
• Describe your ability to analyze, understand, and evaluate environmental impacts to develop recommendations and solutions for the best possible course of action.

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 .

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: 4/9/2025

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

California Department of Transportation

Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact

1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor

Santa Ana , CA 92705

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Transportation

California Department of Transportation

Caltrans DHR Contact

1750 E. 4th Street, 1st Floor

Santa Ana , CA 92705

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.