What are the responsibilities and job description for the ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST position at Department of Food & Agriculture?
Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
Under the supervision of the Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory) (EPM I), the incumbent performs a range of duties involving statewide program research, environmental health & safety analysis, environmental monitoring, facilitate training programs, and writing reports and policies of agricultural health & safety programs for the Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch (PD/EP). The incumbent will develop and evaluate proposed standards and provide training in methods and techniques in meeting and enforcing standards; conduct investigations to evaluate potentially unhealthy working conditions and recommend corrective actions; consult with local health departments, county agricultural commissioners, industry and employee groups; collect and interpret statistical data related to occupational health and safety; assist in training and reviewing the work of other personnel; and, provide liaison with federal and other state agencies. This involves interaction with Federal, State, County, private agencies, and other interested or affected groups
- Coordinate with the management team to design and/or revise and implement the PD/EP, Illness and Injury Prevention Plans (IIPP).
- Revise the IIPP according to established California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) standards.
- Analyze accident, illness, and injury reports which can include vehicle accidents and worker compensation reports.
- Update, maintain, and distribute the IIPPs and their various supplements to the field offices in accordance to DOSH standards.
- Assist in the PD/EP Medical Surveillance Program management which includes analyzing environmental toxic exposure records, ensuring designated employees receive an annual medical history and/or annual medical examination, and establish and/or maintain a database to ensure employee compliance with the established medical surveillance program.
- Perform a broad range of research and assessment activities statewide (in urban, rural, and agricultural terrain) concerning present and future environmental, environmental health, and natural resource management issues related to protecting the States agricultural industry, natural resources, and public health from invasive species.
- Conduct pest detection programs and special detection surveys for regional or statewide programs to ensure that the states agriculture and natural resources remain free of threatening and invasive pests.
- Plan and conduct group or formal training in exotic and invasive pest recognition for county, state and federal personnel.
- Perform and document quality control inspections on insect plants.
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 work settings vary. The settings could be permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the state or cooperating agencies or other locations. The employee may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. The duties of this position are primarily conducted outdoors and may be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather, uneven terrain, and various noise levels. The incumbent may work within an office/warehouse environment furnished with a variety of office equipment, which normally consists of desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, storage cabinets, filing bins, computers, computer peripherals, phones, answering machines, photocopiers, and fax machines. Computer software used may include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher.
The incumbent must acquire and maintain a California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) with subcategory G (Regulatory). The QAC, along with the subcategory must be acquired within 6 months from the date the duty statement is signed.
The incumbent must be able to apply pesticides, haul loads of fruit and/or removed trees, perform survey work, and work well under extreme time constraints, exercise good judgment, determine priorities, make appropriate well-thought out decisions, allocate staff and resources to achieve maximum results, maintain focus under conditions of duress, and provide accurate assessment of rapidly changing situations (ex: multiple exotic pest detections requiring multiple operations).
The incumbent must have a valid California driver’s license and have a safe driving record, as documented by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (A safe driving record is one free from convictions in the past two years for repeated moving violations, or a single serious violation, such as drunk driving or reckless driving). The incumbent will be required to drive, exit, and re-enter the work vehicle numerous times during the workday and operate a State motor vehicle safely and responsibly.
The incumbent will be required to travel by State or rental vehicle to perform field active or other public transportation systems to various locations throughout the state. Must be legally able to rent a car. May work various shifts (pre-dawn and after 6:00 pm), weekends, overtime, and possibly a split shift.
The incumbent may also be required to travel on short notice that requires several continuous nights in length or work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including weekends, overtime, and holidays. Travel is essential and the incumbent will travel to various locations throughout the state to attend meetings or training related to pest detection, survey, and treatment activities and to assist other offices with detection and treatment efforts is required.
When working in the field, the employee may encounter extremes in temperature and humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and aquatic or riparian situations. The employee may work with varied vehicles and equipment such as global positioning system units, spray equipment, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. Activities may require the mixing, loading and application of pesticides, driving for several hours, lifting, bending, reaching and climbing, and moving equipment. Noise level for work is variable.
The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, cooperate with other staff members and leads in completing assigned work, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with other agencies and the public, and be able to meet required deadlines.
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-473028
Position #(s):
014-681-0762-001
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 Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch (PD/EP) is responsible for the early detection and prompt eradication of serious exotic agricultural pests. The Branch accomplishes its mission by conducting a statewide trapping program, staffed by county and state inspectors, for exotic insect pests; by implementing special surveys for significant agricultural pests and plant diseases for which traps are not available; and by providing emergency eradication services using the best available technology. The primary objective of the emergency project component is to quickly and efficiently eradicate incipient infestations of serious agricultural pests, thereby preventing permanent establishment and subsequent spread in California.
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard state application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678). Applications submitted without the required SOQ may not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be accepted in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ should have a title of “Statement of Qualifications and your name,” be no less than one (1) page but no more than two (2) pages, single-spaced, 12-point Arial font, with one (1) inch margins, and should address the following:
Describe the education, experience, skills, and qualities that make the candidate ideal for this specific Environmental Scientist Specialist position.
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: 4/17/2025Who 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).
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-473028
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-473028
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-473028
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 -
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.
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:
Darrin Okimoto
(916) 955-1016
darrin.okimoto@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.
