ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

California Department of Toxic Substances Control; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) seeks a Project Manager (Engineering Geologist) to lead oversight of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill project in the Greater Los Angeles area. This permanent, full-time role is based in Chatsworth and offers hybrid telework.

Responsibilities include managing investigations, reviewing geotechnical work, and ensuring compliance with DTSC orders while coordinating with stakeholders and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Licensed in California as a Professional Geologist.
• Geotechnical experience or a Certified Engineering Geologist license.
• Experience with landfill regulations or landfills with subsurface elevated temperature events.
• Experience with written and verbal science communication, including reports and work plans.
• Valid California Drivers License (CDL) required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day investigation and cleanup of hazardous sites.
• Plan and manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Prepare and maintain project schedules to allocate resources.
• Prepare estimates for oversight costs and coordinate invoice payments.
• Update EnviroStor with milestones and key documents.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Regulatory coordination

Job description

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.

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.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-533056

Position #(s): 810-513-3756-005

Working Title: Project Manager

Classification: ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

$6,488.00 - $7,735.00 A

$7,428.00 - $9,296.00 B

$9,142.00 - $11,449.00 C

$9,754.00 - $12,215.00 D

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: Los Angeles County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Chatsworth Regional Office

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC’s Regional office in Chatsworth, CA .

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) 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!

Job Description And Duties

DTSC’s Site Mitigation and Restoration Program is looking for highly qualified and motivated staff to assist with the investigation and remediation of contaminated properties in the Greater Los Angeles area. This Engineering Geologist position is primarily responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill project located in Castaic as well as geologic and geotechnical review of submitted documents. This challenging site requires applying engineering, geotechnical, and regulatory expertise to ensure compliance with DTSC’s Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Determination and Order.

As an Engineering Geologist you will have the opportunity to:

• Serve as project manager to oversee all aspects of investigation and cleanup related to assigned hazardous waste/substance sites
• Plan and manage a workload consisting of multiple projects with overlapping deadlines to ensure all assignments are completed on time and within budget
• Prepare and maintain accurate project schedules to facilitate allocation of resources
• Prepare estimates for oversight costs for each assigned project and follow up with the Responsible Parties to ensure payment of invoices for billed activities
• Routinely update and maintain project information on existing sites in the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) EnviroStor database, including uploading major milestone documents to EnviroStor on a timely basis to ensure the most current/correct information is up to date
• Communicate internally and externally the status of assignments, recommendations, or issues and prepares clear written documents free of errors in grammar or punctuation for Senior/Exec management, external agencies, external stakeholders, local governments, or private parties

Desirable Qualifications We Look For

• Licensed in California as a Professional Geologist
• Geotechnical experience or a Certified Engineering Geologist license
• Experience assessing, investigating, or remediating properties with releases of hazardous substances
• Experience working for or under the oversight of an environmental regulatory agency
• Project management experience
• Experience with written and verbal science communication, including preparation of investigation, cleanup and/or Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reports and work plans
• Experience working with landfill regulations or landfills experiencing subsurface elevated temperature events

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

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.

The SOQ should be no longer than 2 pages, Arial font size 12. Your response should reference this position’s Duty Statement.

Your SOQ Should Address The Following

• Please describe why you are the best candidate for this position. Include information about your experience managing environmental conditions at landfills, conducting geotechnical analysis, and investigation and remediation of hazardous substances releases at sites with high levels of public scrutiny.

Application Information

Final Filing Date: 10/7/2026

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).

Required Application Package Documents

• 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the \"Special Requirements\" section above for additional information.

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.