Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Do you have a desire to work to reduce waste and help protect the health and well-being of California’s people and environment? Do you have the knowledge and skills to perform scientific, analytical and technical work to help affected parties achieve "compliance through assistance"?

In the Local Assistance and Market Development Branch (LAMD) staff are CalRecycle’s field representatives, delivering the department's vision to inspire and challenge Californians to achieve the highest waste reduction, recycling, and reuse goals in the nation. Additionally, staff play an important role in delivering the department's services and programs to local and regional jurisdictions and providing technical assistance for building comprehensive recycling communities.

Staff play a key role in assisting local governments, local education agencies, and non local entities such as state and federal agencies in achieving statutorily mandated waste diversion goals; educating, motivating and overseeing programs to increase public participation in all aspects of waste reduction, including waste prevention, recycling, and composting in addition to edible food recovery. In addition, the staff is responsible for participating on collaborative teams focused on the department’s high-priority initiatives. This position involves travel throughout the state approximately 20% of the time.

This position is currently telework centric under California Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, and occasionally reports to headquarters for hands on meetings and/or trainings. The position provides a mix of independent and team-oriented field work, research, analysis, report writing and correspondence.

This position requires that you possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your applications. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions. Failing to maintain a valid CDL will result in a failure to meet job requirements.

Beginning July 1, 2026, CalRecycle staff will be office-centered, requiring employees to report to the office at least four days per week. This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program needs. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the positions designated headquarter location, as reflected on the duty statement and at their own expense.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The incumbent works in an office building in downtown Sacramento, in an enclosed, non-windowed office cubicle in a smoke-free environment. The work schedule is Monday through Friday. Mandatory overtime, including evening and weekend work may be necessary during the year end closing process or when the department is mission tasked. Travel may be required locally and within the state.

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.

• When submitting application in hard copy, applicants are required to submit a standard state application (Form Std.678) with an original signature, and clearly indicate RPA 25-316 & Position # 835-718-0762-006 in the “Job Title(s)” section of the Standard State Application or you will not be considered for the position.
  
• Please attach a copy of your tran scripts (unofficial or official) to your application to ensure the educational requirements have been met for this position. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

• If you would like to use education in conjunction with experience to satisfy the minimum qualifications, you must attach a copy of your degree and/or transcripts (unofficial or official) to your application to ensure the educational requirements have been met for this position. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

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:

• Experience in and/or knowledge of solid waste programs such as waste prevention, recycling, reuse, organics management, hazardous materials management, and/or edible food recovery.
• Experience performing environmental or sustainability programs and/or project responsibilities to interpret laws, regulations, and requirements to ensure implementation of environmental management statutes and regulations.
• Experience facilitating meetings, building partnerships, developing and delivering presentations to local and state government, non-local entities, local education agencies, and industry.
• Experience providing customer service and/or technical assistance to assist a variety of audiences such as the public, local governments, businesses, state agencies or other stakeholders.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing data, conducting program analyses, and making policy and legislative recommendations to management.

Benefits

In addition to a compelling vision for California, CalRecycle offers competitive pay, benefits, and features for its workforce. To review the pay and benefits offered to California civil service staff, please review CalHR's website at CalHR Benefits Website - CalHR

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 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