Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

The hiring unit has established the following internal cut-off dates for this Job Control:

• May 15, & 29, 2024

• June 12, & 26, 2024

• July 10, & 24, 2024

• August 7, & 21, 2024
• September 4, & 18, 2024
• October 2, & 16, 2024

Applications will be reviewed after each date listed above, and selections can be made. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period.

The Animal Health Branch is advertising to fill a Environmental Scientist position within the Emergency Preparedness and Response Section of the AHB:

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS) provides leadership for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response for all emergencies that fall under the jurisdiction of AHFSS. During non-emergencies, the EPRS focuses on planning, prevention, training, responder exercises, and policy development for emergency response. When animal health and food safety emergencies or natural disasters arise, EPRS personnel are required to travel to an incident on short notice for extended periods of time and work extended hours. Incumbents will fill incident command system roles in an Incident Command Post (ICP) or as an Agency Representative at an Operations Center (Department, State, or local government).

The Environmental Scientist will have duties including but not limited to:

Secure Food Supply Program

• Collaborate with the SFS Lead and SFS Senior Environmental Scientist to advance the goals and objectives of California's Secure Food Supply Program in helping animal agriculture producers maintain continuity of business during an animal disease outbreak.

• Serve as an SFS subject matter expert to:

• Develop livestock, poultry and production system-based biosecurity plan templates and ensure full compliance with state and national SFS Program requirements (inclusive of Secure Milk, Secure Beef, Secure Sheep and Wool, Secure Swine, etc.).
  
  
• Assist industry and CDFA staff with writing, reviewing and approving SFS plans.
  
  

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 duties of this position are mostly conducted indoors, however incumbent may occasionally be required to work outside, under difficult conditions, and in non-standard office environments. The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.

Travel (including nights, weekends, and holidays) for extended periods may be required for meetings and events as well as during an emergency response. Travel on short notice may be required upon activation for emergency response. During emergency response periods, duties may require working long shifts at hours other than the normal work hours.

The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFAs Telework Policy. Any employee who is teleworking must adhere to all telework policies and procedures.

Indoor activities may include:

• Operating a computer with various software programs, including e-mail, word processing, and spreadsheets.

• Entering information into a computer database.

• Operating an office and cellular telephone, fax, calculator, and copier.

• Operating various filing drawers and bins.

• Processing paperwork and samples.

Outdoor activities may include:

• Inspecting livestock at farms, ranches, and sale yards or other livestock facilities

• Occasional travel by State vehicle or other modes of transportation to various locations in the district for assignments, emergency planning exercises, or meetings

The incumbent may encounter:

• Confrontational, unfriendly or irate individuals

• Quickly moving heavy gates

Depending on the task, the incumbent must be able to spend significant amounts of time:

• Moving, sitting, or bending

The incumbent must be able to:

• Drive long distances (up to 8 hours) to reach destinations.

The work environment during an emergency response may vary considerably from the normal work setting.

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-426902

Position #(s):
018-110-0762-XXX

Working Title:
Environmental Scientist

Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST $4,145.00 - $5,132.00 A
$5,037.00 - $6,250.00 B
$6,375.00 - $7,926.00 C

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
As part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Animal Health and Food Safety Services (AHFSS) Division, the Animal Health Branch (AHB) functions as California's organized, professional veterinary medical unit to protect public health, animal agriculture, and the economy from catastrophic animal diseases and other related health and agricultural problems. AHB addresses livestock and poultry diseases and issues that require statewide coordinated resources; implements programs that protect public health and animal agriculture; and ensures the availability, affordability, and wholesomeness of food.

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than one (1) page in length, using Arial 12 pt. font, and normal margins.

1. Given the duty statement listed, describe what specific experience and skills make you the most qualified candidate for the position of Environmental Scientist in the Secure Food Supply Program of the Animal Health Branch.

2. Describe your background and experience with biosecurity.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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 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 Resources Branch JC-426902
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 Resources Branch JC-426902
1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-426902
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.
  

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.

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:
Angelina Mwaniki
(916) 900-5002
angelina.mwaniki@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 10/2023 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.