ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

Department-of-Toxic-Substances-Control; California; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

DTSC is hiring an Engineering Geologist in the Bay Area to oversee investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites in coastal California, including San Francisco Bay Area redevelopment projects.

The role involves evaluating geologic data, preparing technical documents, and supporting remedial design. The position offers a hybrid schedule with office-based work at the Berkeley regional office and a state salary scale.

Qualifications

• Minimum Requirements: ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST.
• Experience with environmental site assessment and site cleanup is desirable.
• Familiarity with CERCLA/RCRA frameworks is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review or prepare geologic reports and related documents (Phase I ESAs, risk assessments, design and monitoring reports).
• Evaluate geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical data to characterize contaminants.
• Prepare cross sections, maps, and graphs illustrating site conditions.
• Support engineering remedial design and implementation through data evaluation.
• Review soil, groundwater, and vapor extraction designs and monitoring plans.

Job description

$6,488.00 - $12,215.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/20/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

DTSC has an opening for an Engineering Geologist in the Bay Area Branch of the Site Mitigation and Restoration Program. The Engineering Geologist will provide regulatory oversight for the investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of coastal California. The sites include fast-paced redevelopment projects and projects in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by contamination. The purpose of this work is to protect people’s health and the environment from toxic substances, and to restore contaminated land to enhance economic vitality. Join us today!!

As an Engineering Geologist you will have the opportunity to:

• Review or prepare technical geologic reports and other documents including, but not limited to: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Preliminary Endangerment Assessments, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Assessments, site characterization workplans and reports, sampling and analysis plans, human health and ecological risk assessments; pilot and treatability studies; feasibility studies; remedy selection documents; design, implementation, and completion reports; operation and maintenance plans; five-year reviews; and long-term monitoring reports for compliance with approved plans
• Evaluate geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical data of the surface and subsurface to characterize the occurrence and migration of contaminants
• Review and prepare cross sections, maps, charts, and graphs that illustrate the physical and geochemical setting of contaminated sites
• Evaluate site characterization data to support engineering remedial design and implementation
• Review or perform analyses of soil, groundwater, and soil vapor extraction and treatment system designs and monitoring plans for the investigation and cleanup process
• Perform statistical and trend analysis on data to define the overall effectiveness of remedial treatment technology

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

Working Conditions

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113 .

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

A hybrid schedule may be available for this position. As of July 1st, 2026, the position is office-centered, and employees will be expected 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 telework policy and/or future program needs. 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.

Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST $6,488.00 - $7,735.00A $7,428.00 - $9,296.00B $9,142.00 - $11,449.00C $9,754.00 - $12,215.00D New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Alameda County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

This position is located at our Regional Office in Berkeley, CA.

Department Information

This position is located at our Regional Office in Berkeley, CA.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDO) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

Our Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.

Our Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.

Our Core Values: DTSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!

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.
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).

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 with environmental site assessment and site cleanup
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (CERCLA, RCRA) and frameworks
• Experience working with people outside of the organization (members of the public, clients, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Practice evaluating data to formulate an understanding of conditions and make decisions
• Experience conducting hydrogeologic studies and independent laboratory or field project
• Coursework in environmental science, chemistry, geology, environmental health, or a related field
• Experience evaluating contaminant fate and transport in soil, soil vapor, and groundwater
• Licensed as a California Professional Geologist preferred

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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:
Classification & Recruitment
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Peyton Ward
[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.

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.

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.