Senior Waste Management Engineer

Job Description and Duties

At CalRecycle’s Engineering Support Branch we are all about protecting California’s environment. We are seeking an initiative-taking individual excited to join us as a Senior Waste Management Engineer to lead our team of five engineers and geologists in the Closure and Technical Services Unit.

You will direct a team of engineers and geologists to ensure that landfills throughout California operate, close, and are maintained in compliance with State requirements. You will also provide engineering support to other CalRecycle program areas in the formulation, analysis, and amendment of policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation. Your success will be ensuring the unit completes timely, accurate, and consistent reviews of technical and engineering reports while developing the unit as the foremost technical experts on landfills and their environmental protection systems.

We are looking for an engineer with leadership and communication skills and a strong technical background in the engineering principles and regulatory requirements pertaining to landfill design, siting, operation, closure, postclosure maintenance, investigation, remediation and engineering project cost estimating. Ideal candidates will have an aptitude to manage and motivate unit staff and effectively communicate and interact in a wide variety of forums with staff from CalRecycle, consultants, the regulated industry, the public, and all levels of governmental agencies. The ability to evaluate, practically apply, and create or amend solid waste laws and regulations is a plus.

If you are enthusiastic about making a difference and have a strong background and interest in solid waste management, we want to hear from you. Apply today to join our team and make a real impact on California’s environment.

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 EPA headquarters building offices in downtown Sacramento are well-lit, enclosed, non-windowed office cubicles in a smoke-free environment. The 40-hour work week schedule is typically dayshift, Monday through Friday. Office and field work includes, on a regular basis, writing and reviewing inspection reports and notices, contact with the regulated community by way of in-person, phone and video conferencing, preparation and review of other documents and internet research. Overnight travel may be required locally and within the state. The job occasionally requires you to perform field inspections, hear vehicles and alarms or other audible signals of possible risk.

Special Requirements

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 25-140 & Position # 835-803-3790-001 in the “Job Title(s)” section of the Standard State Application or you will not be considered for the position.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Posses registration as a California Professional Engineer

• The Senior Water Resource Control Engineer certification list is being used to recruit for this position. Applicants who qualify under the Senior Waste Management Engineer classification must also meet the minimum qualifications for the Senior Water Resource Control Engineer classification to be eligible to take the examination. The Senior Water Resource Control Engineer examination bulletin can be found here: CalCareers

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:

• Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a professional civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
• Possession of a bachelor's degree in environmental, chemical, civil, mechanical or a related field. Preference for a master's or doctorate degree in environmental, chemical, civil, mechanical, or a relate field.
• Technical background in the engineering principles of solid waste facility and landfill engineering design, siting, construction, operation, closure, postclosure maintenance and land use, investigation, remediation, landfill gas control and monitoring, and/or cost estimating.
• Experience demonstrates the ability to work independently and manage complex projects and to analyze data, perform technical analyses, and develop comparative options and make recommendations for decisions.
• Experience demonstrating the ability to supervise, manage, and motivate staff to obtain project completion by providing responsible charge of work in accordance with the Business and Professions Code including independent control and direction by use of initiative, skill, and independent judgment of the investigation, design, or review of professional engineering work.
• Experience demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate, interact, and represent the Department with all levels of staff and managers as well as with federal, state, and local government agencies, the regulated industry, and the public at meetings, public hearings, and technical workshops.
• Experience in dealing with complex, controversial, and high-profile projects.
• Knowledge of Title 14 and Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations and the Public Resources Code as they a

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.
• Other - Applicants must submit a cover letter for this recruitment.