SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

California-Department-of-Pesticide-Regulation; California; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to independently identify problems, develop courses of action, and conduct highly complex scientific investigations on pesticides. The role may lead a project or area of expertise and requires field research, data analysis, and policy evaluation related to pesticide impacts on health and the environment.

Hybrid telework is possible for eligible Californians.

Qualifications

• Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) classification.

Responsibilities

• Planning, organizing, and coordinating scientific/technical research to assess the environmental fate and transport of pesticides.
• Develops new modeling techniques, methods and technologies to prevent adverse health and environmental effects from pesticide exposure.
• Directs field research studies and field sampling.
• Reviews scientific reports submitted by registrants, universities, government agencies, NGOs, and others.
• Assists in developing laws, rules, regulations, and policy evaluations to address pesticide impacts on health and the environment.

Job description

Job Posting:Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Department of Pesticide Regulation

JC-536817 -

JC-536817 - Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$8,055.00 - $11,269.00 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: 11/18/2026

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

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!
The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) at the advanced level independently identifies problems, develops courses of action and conducts extremely complex and scientific investigations and studies on pesticides. The incumbent may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project, program function, or area of expertise. Specific responsibilities include:

• Planning, organizing, and coordinating scientific/technical research to assess the environmental fate and transport of pesticides, and identifies practices to prevent/reduce pesticide impacts on human health and the environment
• Develops new modeling techniques, methods and technologies that have the potential to prevent adverse public and environmental health effects from pesticide exposure
• Participates in and directs field research studies and field sampling
• Reviews scientific reports submitted by registrant, universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others.
• Assists in developing laws, rules, regulations, and policy evaluations to address pesticide impacts on human health and the environment.

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

Working Conditions

Employee must have the ability to work in a high-rise office environment and ability to use a computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard within an 8-hr day. Employee must be capable of performing field studies and site visits that may involve hiking or climbing in areas with moderate slopes, unpaved surfaces, undeveloped roads, and other areas or structures where studies may be required. Employee must have the ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours under a variety of climatic conditions and, also, operate vehicles on public roadways or travel to remote areas. Travel that includes flying and/or driving on short notice and overnight stays will be required on trips to various field locations and community/board meetings.
Employee may occasionally be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to minimize exposure to hazards. PPE include, but not limited to, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, hard hats, coveralls, and tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment. When respiratory protective equipment is required, the employee must adhere to the fitting requirements stated in DPR’s respiratory protection policy.
NOTE: 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.
Beginning July 1, 2026, it is anticipated the position will be office-centered and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Classification:

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) $8,055.00 - $11,269.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Appointment to this position is pending administrative approval.

DPR is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and our vision is for pest management that is safe, effective, and sustainable for all Californians and our environment. Our core values include accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and integrity. We are innovative and passionate about the work we do.

DPR 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 human health and the environment by fostering sustainable pest management and regulating pesticides. Join DPR to improve the lives of all Californians.

In compliance with federal law, all hires will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. (Note: The Department of Pesticide Regulation does not sponsor visas.)

• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests.
• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.
• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

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:

• Knowledge or experience working with diverse cultural communities
• Awareness of diverse communities and regional demographics
• Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity
• Work productively both independently and in a team environment and be able to take direction and guidance well
• Have strong organization and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Meet deadlines, be productive and maintain composure under pressure/stress
• Ability to learn or knowledge of drift, air dispersion, soil physics, soil hydrology, and agricultural practices
• Experience in conducting environmental monitoring (e.g., ambient air sampling, drift sampling, or soil sampling) studies
• Experience in working with environmental sampling equipment
• Ability to learn or knowledge of programming languages such as R, Python, C++, SQL, SAS
• Ability to learn or knowledge of GIS and geospatial analysis
• Ability to learn or knowledge of statistical and time-series analysis
• Writing proficiency: experience writing technical reports or peer review scientific journal articles

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 application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Theo Farnum
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

Supplemental Application

You must answer the supplemental question in its entirety and follow all instructions for answering the question in order to be considered interested/eligible in the position.

Instructions :
The response should not exceed two pages, single-spaced with standard margins, and in 11-point Arial font. Provide the question prior to your answer and indicate your name at the top of the first page.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in any form, during the interview process is strictly prohibited. Using AI to create, develop, or modify responses may disqualify you from further participation in the recruitment process.

Critical Job Competencies

• Coaching/Mentoring/Continual Learning - Legacy leadership - - leave a mark; master fundamentals of coaching/mentoring; seize coaching opportunities and align with organizational objectives; pursue self-development; accurately assess strengths and development needs of employees and give timely performance feedback to maximize probability of success.
• Communication - Make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; inform, persuade, build consensus; know the audience; facilitate open exchange of ideas/opinions; select and use appropriate communication approach; actively listen; effectively use e-mail.
• Decisiveness - Make decisions in a decisive and timely manner; willingly share decision-making with direct reports - - transparent decision-making process as warranted; accept accountability for decisions; perceive impact and implications of decisions.
• Ethics/Integrity - Create culture of trusting relationships; demonstrate trust and principled leadership; promote organizational vision and values through ethical leadership principles; tell it straight - - open and honest even about the bad news; admit mistakes.
• Flexibility/Adaptability - Readily integrate changes midstream into work processes and outputs; demonstrate openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technology.
• Partnering/Networking - Develop networks and build alliances; participate in cross-functional activities to achieve organizational objectives.
• Political Acumen - Identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization; perceive organizational and political reality and act accordingly; consider a broad range of internal and external factors (big picture) when solving problems and making decisions; identify critical, high payoff strategies and prioritize work efforts accordingly; in taking action, demonstrate an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.
• Problem Solving - Persevere in the face of obstacles such as diminishing financial resources; know there is more than one way to get to the destination; anticipate problems and encourage a culture of proactive problem solving.
• Project Management - Garner support for projects; develop work plan with tasks, timeframes, milestones, resources, and dependencies; use resources efficiently and manage effectively within budget limits.
• Self-Motivation, Optimism, Sustained Commitment, Perseverance, Patience - Demonstrate a bias toward optimism and maintain sense of humor; retain stamina and bounce back from setbacks.
• Teamwork - Facilitate and maintain cooperative working relationships; work toward accomplishment of group goals; value and encourage the input and expertise of others.
• Technical Credibility – Understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, policies, and regulations related to specialized expertise; integrate technology into the work to improve program effectiveness; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession and industry and access other expert resources when appropriate.

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.