RESEARCH SCIENTIST

California Department of Toxic Substances Control; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) seeks a Research Scientist for its Environmental Chemistry Laboratory in Berkeley. The role supports method development, QA/QC, and data evaluation for DTSC programs and external partners.

The position focuses on applying EPA methods, ensuring defensible analytical results, and preparing reports. It offers permanent, full-time employment at the Berkeley Regional Office with in-lab duties and in-office work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental chemistry research
• Ability to analyze environmental samples with standard methods
• Experience with data evaluation and QA/QC principles

Responsibilities

• Apply EPA and other standard methods to analyze environmental samples for DTSC programs and external entities
• Ensure defensibility of results by following Quality System Procedures
• Process, quantify, review and analyze data and prepare QA/QC reports
• Review data packages for accuracy, completeness and QA criteria
• Contribute to duty statements and environmental chemistry lab activities

Tools

Mass spectrometry

Analytical techniques

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-525782

Position #: 810-357-5582-006

Position #: 810-357-5582-003

Position #: 810-357-5582-028

Position #: 810-357-5582-029

Working Title: Research Scientist

Classification: RESEARCH SCIENTIST

$6,942.00 - $8,922.00 A

$7,625.00 - $9,799.00 B

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: Alameda County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Berkeley Regional Office

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC’s Environmental Chemistry Lab in Berkeley, 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

• This job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL), Berkeley provides the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) with expertise in method development, quality assurance, data evaluation and analysis of environmental samples. ECL also studies new chemicals of concern and provides DTSC management with analytical information for decision making.

As a Research Scientist you will have the opportunity to:

• Use standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other authoritative methods and laboratory technical system procedures (TSPs) to analyze environmental samples submitted by DTSC core programs and external entities
• Comply with the requirements in the Management System documents such as the Quality System Procedures (QSPs) and other relevant external documents to ensure defensibility of analytical results
• Process the acquired data, quantitates, reviews, and analyzes data
• Prepare analytical and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reports for submission
• Review and evaluate data packages generated by ECL for accuracy, completeness and adherence to quality control and quality assurance criteria

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

Desirable Qualifications We Look For

• Research experience working independently on projects
• Experience with mass spectrometry or other analytical techniques
• Experience with standard testing methods to test environmental samples preferred
• Experience working under quality management system
• Experience troubleshooting lab instrumentation

Final Filing Date: 9/15/2026

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).