ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

State of California; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Cannabis Control is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join the Compliance Inspection Branch in the SoCal Office, Sacramento Unit. The role focuses on scientific fieldwork and compliance evaluations across California’s licensed cannabis facilities, with onsite inspections and coordination with law enforcement as needed.

The position may involve travel statewide, is hybrid with remote work options, and requires preparing inspection reports while communicating findings to

Qualifications

• Position involves scientific fieldwork and compliance evaluations across licensed cannabis facilities.
• Requires ability to conduct onsite inspections and coordinate with investigative partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct onsite inspections of licensed cannabis facilities in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties.
• Assess compliance with cannabis and environmental regulations and identify deficiencies.
• Prepare clear inspection reports with supporting documentation.
• Support coordinated inspections and search warrants with investigative or law enforcement entities.
• Communicate compliance findings to licensees, stakeholders, and internal staff.
• Review operational records, inventory data, and tracking system information for compliance.
• Evaluate documentation related to water use, waste management, pesticides, storage, and transport.
• Apply scientific methods to identify non-compliance and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate with regulatory and investigative partners on cases involving environmental or operational concerns.
• Collaborate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on compliance matters.
• Provide guidance to licensees and industry representatives on environmental and operational requirements.
• Support educational and outreach efforts, including workshops and seminars.

Job description

Environmental Scientist

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 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: 10/1/2026

Job Description and Duties

Looking for innovative and impactful work in a fast-evolving industry?

The Department of Cannabis Control is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Environmental Scientist to join the Compliance Inspection Branch in the SoCal Office, Sacramento Unit. This position is statewide and plays a critical role in ensuring environmental and operational compliance across California’s licensed cannabis facilities.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (SES) (Supervisory) in the Sacramento Unit (Unit), within the NorCal Office (Office), part of the Compliance Inspection Branch (Branch), part of the Compliance Division (Division), within the Department of Cannabis Control (Department), the Environmental Scientist (ES) will perform scientific fieldwork and compliance evaluations across all licensed cannabis facilities. The incumbent will be responsible for verifying that licensed facilities are operating in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and environmental protection requirements. The incumbent will conduct onsite inspections, technical assessments, and may participate in investigations within an assigned geographic area. The incumbent may also be required to perform coordinated fieldwork and investigations with other governmental agencies, as needed. The geographical location for this position is located within Northern California; however, may be required to conduct business throughout the State of California (State).

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment?

Join us and help advance California’s cannabis regulatory framework by supporting Division-wide environmental, operational, and compliance oversight.

What You’ll Do:

Scientific Fieldwork & Compliance Inspections

• Conduct onsite inspections of licensed cannabis facilities in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties.
• Assess compliance with cannabis and environmental regulations and identify deficiencies.
• Prepare clear inspection reports with supporting documentation.
• Support coordinated inspections and search warrants with investigative or law enforcement entities.
• Communicate compliance findings to licensees, stakeholders, and internal staff.

Records Review & Scientific Evaluation

• Review operational records, inventory data, and tracking system information for compliance.
• Evaluate documentation related to water use, waste management, pesticides, storage, and transport.
• Apply scientific methods to identify non compliance and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate with regulatory and investigative partners on cases involving environmental or operational concerns.

Communication, Coordination & Education

• Collaborate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on compliance matters.
• Provide guidance to licensees and industry representatives on environmental and operational requirements.
• Support educational and outreach efforts, including workshops and seminars.

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

Working Conditions

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon a job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST $4,418.00 - $6,035.00A $5,370.00 - $7,350.00B $6,796.00 - $9,321.00C 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:

United States

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Looking for exciting, dynamic, and impactful work in a growing industry?

The Department of Cannabis Control is looking for a dynamic, highly motivated individual that wants to work in a multi-tasking environment. The Department’s mission is to develop and implement progressive cannabis policies and license and regulate commercial cannabis activity in a way that best protects public health, safety, the environment, and local communities throughout the State of California.

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) - Title 11, Section 703 (d) of the California Code of Regulations requires criminal record checks of all personnel who have access to CORI. Pursuant to this requirement, applicants for this position will be required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice and be cleared before hiring. In accordance with CORI procedures, clearance shall be maintained while employed in a CORI‑designated position. Additionally, the position routinely works with sensitive and confidential issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of documents and topics pertaining to individuals or to sensitive program matters at all times.

Conflict of Interest (COI) - This position is subject to COI Regulations. The incumbent is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 1st, and within 30 days of leaving office.

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program - The incumbent shall participate in DMV’s EPN Program, which is a process for providing the Department with a report showing the driver’s current public record as recorded by the DMV, and any subsequent convictions, failures to appear, accidents, driver’s license suspensions, driver’s license revocations, or any other actions taken against the driving privilege or license, added to the driver’s DMV record.

Medical Surveillance and Respiratory Protection Program – Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 5144 and the Department’s Injury and Illness Prevention Plan, the incumbent shall participate in the Department’s Medical Surveillance and Respiratory Protection Program due to the potential exposure to dangerous pesticides, molds, and other hazardous substances.

Medical Clearance – In accordance with the provisions of Government Code 18931, a medical clearance is required from the California Department of Human Resources’ (Cal HR) Medical Officer. The medical clearance must be completed, submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to extending an offer of employment.

Travel - The incumbent is required to travel throughout the state of California by various methods of transportation.

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:

We want passionate individuals who:

• Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environments where adaptability is key.
• Are motivated by making a tangible impact on public health and safety.
• Enjoy hands on work, collaborating across teams, and tackling challenges head on.
• Are ready to help shape and enforce fair, equitable, and effective cannabis compliance programs.

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 position or application process.

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.

Additional Instructions

If using education to meet the minimum qualifications, as specified in the classification specification, please include a copy of your degree or unofficial transcripts with your application package. Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Applicants who submit hard copy applications shall use the most current version of the State application (STD. 678). Applicants who fail to submit the most current version may be disqualified. Employment information on the STD 678 MUST be complete with dates, duties, responsibilities, and contact information for supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in being screened out.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, asset forth in this announcement. Electronic application packages must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date. Mail application packages must be postmarked before or on the final filing date. Hand delivered application packages must be hand delivered by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Application packages postmarked, personally delivered, or received via interagency mail after 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date will not be accepted.

If you have updates to your online application after you have submitted it, contact [e-mail]. For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, contact [phone].

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 workplace. 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.

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