Aquatic Resources Biologist

Caltrans: California Department of Transportation; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Telework opportunities

Comprehensive state employee benefits

Job summary

A state transportation department in California seeks an Environmental Scientist responsible for preparing and reviewing complex environmental documents. The role requires coordination with regulatory agencies and involves conducting on-site assessments. Ideal candidates should possess a relevant degree and strong technical writing skills. The position may be eligible for telework, and candidates must hold a valid driver's license when operating state vehicles.

Qualifications

• Experience with environmental and biological technical documents.
• Knowledge of state and federal environmental laws.
• Ability to prepare permit applications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review environmental documents ensuring compliance.
• Develop mitigation and monitoring plans for aquatic resources.
• Conduct site visits to assess environmental conditions.

Skills

Biological resource analysis

Environmental impact assessment

Technical writing

Regulatory agency coordination

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

GIS software

GPS technology

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who will be responsible for preparing and reviewing complex environmental and biological documents, technical studies, and analytical reports to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and numerous state and federal environmental resource laws and regulations. Incumbent is the Aquatic Resource Biologist on Department projects and is responsible for the preparation and submittal of permit applications to various state and federal agencies, as well as developing mitigation and monitoring plans, and handling all permit related coordination with the representatives of the regulatory agencies. The incumbent provides consultation recommendations; identifies and analyzes the impacts of transportation systems, corridors and projects on biological resources and formulates, calculates and quantifies measures to mitigate impacts to jurisdictional aquatic resources. Incumbent acts as a representative of the Department in negotiations with regulatory agency staff for permits and consultations, and independently manages consultant task orders. This position also works with confidential and privileged information and is the responsible charge with managing cost, scope, schedule and project resources within their purview. The incumbent must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal project delivery partners, various local partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans' projects. The incumbent must be solution oriented and will need to investigate innovative solutions to meet deliverables. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the transportation project development process through construction. Be able to complete job-related and job-required training as needed, and respond to customer service inquiries. This work requires strong oral and written skills with the specific ability to prepare technical reports as well as written and verbal correspondence. This position may require site visits, sometimes to remote areas, which may require driving a personal or state vehicle on public roadways or on uneven terrain. Occasional overtime, travel and overnight stays may be required. Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G
https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 2885 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquarters location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.

• Statement of Qualifications is required. Your application and SOQ will be screened on your communication skills. You must demonstrate proper punctuation, grammar, content relevant to the advertised position and description. Your SOQ will be considered the first interview for this position. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to an on-site or on-line interview. When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each desirable qualification and explain your answers thoroughly. Incomplete or missing responses to the information requested may negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications. Please write a 1-2 page 12 pt Arial font summarizing your education and experience, including number of years\' experience, in the following:

1. Describe your experience in biological resource-related fields, including experience in regulatory permitting
2. Describe your experience writing and preparing biological technical documents, preferably documents for regulatory permitting
3. Describe your experience coordinating with State and Federal biological regulatory agencies
4. Describe your knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to biological resources
5. Describe any experience you have with GPS or GIS mapping

Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications as required and/or a completed state application will disqualify candidates from the hiring process. Only completed state applications will be accepted.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org.Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

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.

Who 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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(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 Transportation

N/A

Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact

Certification Services MS-90

P O Box 168036

Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Transportation

Drop-Off Address

Caltrans DHR Contact

Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS

1727 30th Street, MS 90

Sacramento, CA 95816

Closed on weekends and State holidays.

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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

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

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact: Dina Coloma

[phone]

[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact: Stephanie Smith

[phone]

[e-mail]

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: Caltrans EEO Office

[phone]

[e-mail]

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.

Important Application Instructions

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-506864), PARF# 05-26-0008 and title of the position (Environmental Scientist) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

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.