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

Reporting to the Environmental Program Manager I, the Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist performs a broad and complex range of scientific and professional office and field duties involving the research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics of agricultural programs for the Cotton Pest Control Program and the Integrated Pest Control Branch.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Independently develops and implements pest detection, eradication and control methods for exotic agricultural and natural resource pests that occur in California.

• Collect descriptive and spatial data derived from the analysis of laboratory and applied research studies and uses data to write scientific reports and/or presentations.

• Evaluate efficacy and environmental impact of pest detection and eradication projects to monitor program objectives.

• Prepare environmental permit packages, regulatory permits, and other documents for state, county, and local agencies.

• Apply scientific methods and principles in the identification, research, and solution of problems in the areas of pest detection, eradication and control, environmental monitoring, point source pollution prevention, natural resources protection, agronomy, and land and water use.

• Evaluate available data collected from research and implementation activities.

• Inspect pest control programs to assure that they are biologically sound and validate contract compliance.

• Develop regulatory measures for the state, county, local agencies and invested stakeholders, and implements environmental standards, environmental and environmental health-related regulations.

• Travel to sites and conducts pest detection, eradication and control planning and implementation activities.

• Gather and evaluate information from research activities to prepare outreach materials and brochures.

• Participate in legal hearings and field investigations as a staff resource for environmental matters.

• Organize and edit scientific papers for publication.

• Meet and confer with individuals to provide regulatory guidance in order to obtain compliance with current laws and regulations. Acts as the secretary of the California Cotton Pest Control Board.

Please refer to duty statement for more information.

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

Approximately 50% of the workload will be in permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the state or cooperating agencies or other locations. The setting is standard with a phone, computer, keyboard, desks, tables, chairs, fax machine, copier, stapler, printers, calculators, and writing instruments. Computer software used may include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher as well as other databases/software created especially for a given research task.

The remaining 50% of the workload requires traveling to remote and/or populated areas within the State of California via government (State or Federal) assigned vehicle (car/truck). When working in the field, the incumbent works alone or with a group of field scientists and/or seasonals. Incumbent works with varied and unfamiliar vehicles and equipment, including excavators, airboats, kayaks, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Often, activities may require driving for several hours (alone or with company), lifting objects and moving equipment of various weights. Also, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and often aquatic or riparian situations. Incumbent may be required to enter or swim in bodies of water (lakes and ponds) that vary in temperature, length, width, and depth. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable. Incumbent may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays. Incumbent may also be required to travel on a short notice that requires full days or over few to several nights in length.

During Cotton season, the incumbent is required to report to the Shafter office.

Incumbent may be required on short notice to work on emergency projects for the Branch or any other program for the Plant Division. The work environments for these projects closely resemble the above paragraph and may involve longer travel days.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA's Telework Policy.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-433549

Position #(s):
018-423-0765-XXX

Working Title:
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) $7,336.00 - $9,126.00

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Kern County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
The primary responsibilities of the Integrated Pest Control Branch (IPCB) are the detection and control or eradication of exotic and invasive pests that threaten California's agricultural and natural resources. This is accomplished through a number of General and/or industry funded Programs. These programs include Cotton Pest Control Program, Cotton Seed Bug Program, Silverleaf Whitefly Monitoring Program, Beet Curly Top Virus Program, Broomrape Program, Navel Orangeworm Program, Hydrilla Eradication Program, Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program, Pink Hibiscus Mealybug Program, Terrestrial & Aquatic Weed Grant and County Weed Program, Statewide Weed Management Areas, Biological Control Program, Apiary Protection, Bee Brand, and County Beekeeper Registration Program.

Special Requirements

Bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, or a closely related scientific discipline.

Must also possess a valid CA Driver's License and safe driving record.

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-433549
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-433549
1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-433549
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 required and must be included.
• Degree/Diploma

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:
Tiffany Nissen
(916) 926-9888
tiffany.nissen@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.