ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Caltrans; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltrans is seeking an Aquatic Resources Biologist in San Luis Obispo County. The role involves environmental analysis, regulatory permitting, and mitigation for transportation projects. Telework is available in a hybrid arrangement.

The incumbent will perform field assessments, prepare technical reports, and ensure compliance with CEQA/NEPA along with other environmental regulations. Strong writing and coordination with regulatory agencies are essential.

Qualifications

• Environmental Scientist classification is used for the role article.

Responsibilities

• Perform field analyses and prepare environmental documents and studies.
• Ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations for transportation projects.
• Prepare CEQA/NEPA documents and mitigation plans.

Skills

Environmental Scientist

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-532679

Position #(s): 905-156-0762-XXX

Working Title: Aquatic Resources Biologist

Classification: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A

$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B

$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: San Luis Obispo County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

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

Job Description And Duties

Caltrans Environmental Scientists perform a broad range of work concerning environmental issues related to protecting California's resources as related to transportation projects. Incumbents do field analyses; prepare environmental documents and technical studies, environmental permitting packages and regulatory permits; ensure compliance with various environmental laws and regulations; and conduct environmental protection, planning, and mitigation activities. Incumbents apply scientific methods and principles to analyze and evaluate available data on the effects of transportation projects on all aspects of the environment; prepare and review CEQA/NEPA and other technical documents to determine the effects; and implement mitigation strategies to lessen the impact of those projects.

Under the general supervision of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal project delivery partners, various regulatory agencies, 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. 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.

PARF# 05-27-0128 / JC- 532679

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113 .

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.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.
• Describe your experience in biological resource related fields, including experience in regulatory permitting.
• Describe your experience writing and preparing biological technical documents, preferably documents for regulatory permitting.
• Describe your experience coordinating with State and Federal biological regulatory agencies.
• Describe your knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to biological resources.
• Describe any experience you have with GPS or GIS mapping.

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.