ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

California Department of Toxic Substances Control; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Toxic Substances Control seeks an Environmental Science and Policy Advisor to blend scientific expertise with legislative insight, supporting policies that protect communities from hazardous materials. You will translate complex information for lawmakers, coordinate with program staff, and help shape high‑impact environmental policy.

You will engage with legislative offices, advocacy groups, and regulated entities, drafting guidance and briefing materials while ensuring

Qualifications

• Ability to clearly communicate complex scientific and regulatory information in writing and verbally.
• Experience analyzing legislation related to hazardous materials, waste, or chemical regulation.
• Proven coordination across multidisciplinary teams for timely responses and briefing materials.
• Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking for policy issues in California.
• Experience developing talking points, testimony packets, and background materials.

Responsibilities

• Receive, log, and respond to inquiries from legislative offices and regulated entities.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to develop accurate, timely responses.
• Oversee a database of inquiries to promote accountability and identify themes.
• Review legislation with deep technical understanding to ensure enforceable outcomes.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings to support communication of technical guidance.
• Evaluate legislation to ensure it can be implemented as intended by the Legislature.

Skills

Communication

Legislative analysis

Cross‑functional coordination

Research & analysis

Project management

Tools

CalEnviroScreen

EnviroStor

GovBuddy

Capitol Track

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.

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-531547

Position #(s)

810-230-0762-001

Working Title

Environmental Science and Policy Advisor

Classification

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Salary

$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

1

Work Location

Sacramento County

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Facility

Headquarters

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC’s Headquarters office in downtown Sacramento, 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!

DTSC Recruitment Survey: Click here to complete the DTSC recruitment survey.

Department Website: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/

Job Description And Duties

The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) is seeking a candidate who can blend scientific expertise with legislative insight to support policies that protect California communities from hazardous materials. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the Legislature, translate complex technical information into clear guidance, and help shape high-impact environmental policy. If you excel at science communication, legislative analysis, and strategic coordination, this role provides a meaningful way to advance OLA’s mission while influencing decisions that safeguard public health. Join us today!

• Receive, log, track, and respond to inquiries from legislative offices, advocacy groups, and regulated entities regarding legislation and DTSC’s programs and actions
• Coordinate with subject matter experts and program and executive staff to develop accurate, timely, and consistent responses
• Oversee the maintenance of a database of constituent inquiries and responses to promote accountability and identify recurring themes
• Review and analyze legislation that could affect DTSC using an in-depth scientific understanding of California’s manufacturers, businesses, hazardous materials, hazardous waste handling processes and procedures, and site mitigation practices to ensure the best legislative outcomes for DTSC and its mission
• Participate in meetings with legislative staff, stakeholders, and program experts to support communication of technical assistance
• Evaluate legislation from a technical perspective and work closely with DTSC program staff to ensure the legislation, if passed, can be adequately implemented as envisioned by the Legislature

Desirable Qualifications We Look For

• Ability to clearly communicate complex scientific, technical, and regulatory information in writing and verbally to legislative offices, advocacy groups, and regulated entities
• Experience analyzing legislation related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste management, site mitigation, or chemical regulation, with skill in evaluating programmatic and fiscal impacts
• Demonstrated success coordinating work across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring timely, consistent, and accurate responses and briefing materials for legislative hearings and high-profile departmental decisions
• Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to identify emerging issues affecting/impacting environmental issues in California and analyze data using tools/databases (CalEnviroScreen, EnviroStor, GovBuddy, and Capitol Track) important for legislative analysis and engagement, and constituency affairs
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with experience developing talking points, testimony packets, background materials, and follow-up documentation for legislative engagements

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

Special Requirements

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 more than 1 page front and back, using 12 - point font.

Your SOQ Should Address The Following

• Describe your experience communicating complex scientific or technical information to non - technical audiences, such as legislative offices, stakeholders, or the public. Include specific examples demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Explain your background in analyzing policy issues related to hazardous materials, hazardous waste, site mitigation, or chemical regulation. Highlight how your analysis supported program implementation or informed policy decisions.
• Provide an example of when you coordinated input across multiple programs or subject matter experts to prepare briefing materials, testimony, or other legislative deliverables. Explain your role, approach, and the outcome.