Environmental Scientist

SOWELA Technical Community College; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

CalRecycle seeks an Environmental Scientist to perform a range of scientific, analytical, and administrative duties enforcing the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 within the Textiles Unit. The incumbent will apply research principles and statistics to review data and compile defensible findings for enforcement actions.

The role involves travel within California, conducting inspections, and presenting findings to supervisors and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• No specific degree is stated in the job ad.
• Requires applying scientific principles and analytical skills to enforce regulations.

Responsibilities

• Determine violations and their effects on public health and environment.
• Prepare reports for technical adequacy on enforcement matters.
• Develop and implement enforcement programs related to product stewardship and EPR.
• Conduct field inspections and investigations to assess compliance.

Skills

Environmental science

Statistical analysis

Inspection procedures

Communication skills

Job description

Do you have a passion to perform a variety of scientific, analytical, and technical assistance duties to implement enforcement requirements and assist with program analysis of compliance policies for CalRecycle’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative, dynamic environment? CalRecycle is seeking an enthusiastic Environmental Scientist to join our talented team that is passionate to work in Textiles Unit!

Position Description

Under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist (incumbent) at Range A (an entry level employee) works under direct supervision performing the least complex scientific work; at Range B (an intermediate level employee) works under general supervision performing moderately complex work; or at Range C (a journey person level employee) works independently performing the most complex work. The Environmental Scientist (ES) will have a variety of responsibilities from scientific, analytical, and administrative duties to implement and enforce the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 within the Textiles Unit. The incumbent applies the principles of scientific research and analytical skills to perform complex technical tasks and uses statistical knowledge to gather, assess, and review data in order to ensure their compliance with CalRecycle's producer responsibility and product stewardship requirements and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for the determination of violations and their general effects on public health, safety, and the environment for the programs, reviewing findings and preparing the reports for technical adequacy on enforcement matters, and doing other related work to perform the duties listed below. Additionally, the ES will play an important role in developing and implementing new enforcement programs related to products with EPR and product stewardship requirements.

The Program is responsible for compliance and enforcement related to producer responsibility, product stewardship and seeks to enforce EPR laws governing the regulated communities including, but not limited to: Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO), producers/manufacturers of covered products, licensees of trademarks or brands, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and other regulated parties. The incumbent will determine if regulated communities are in compliance by performing field inspections and investigations. On a daily basis, conduct research of businesses, products, and industries to plan inspections and conduct investigations; develop sound conclusions and recommendations for the issuance of timely, concise and complete inspection reports; and compile defensible facts for legal documents. Serve as an EPR compliance program liaison and educate stakeholders verbally and in writing; accurately explain the law and potential enforcement consequences; prepare correspondence; meet regulatory deadlines; and implement established enforcement processes. Work in coordination with CalRecycle’s other supporting technical staff and the Legal Office; evaluate the significance of violations of non-compliant entities and program trends; compile, organize data and use mathematical formulas and develop databases and tools to perform statistical analyses to track compliance trends of the regulated community to evaluate overall program success; recommend corrective actions or penalties and fines to effectively achieve the program(s) mandates to protect public health and safety and the environment. Prepare findings to present and conduct technical trainings to supervisors, technical offices, Executive Management and Stakeholders.

This position involves traveling throughout California involving multiple, consecutive days away from the office and overnight stays. The incumbent must have a current California Driver’s License and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice Program.

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 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.