SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Caltrans; California (MO); On-site; USD 94,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltrans in California seeks a Senior Environmental Scientist – Lead Worker to manage CEQA/NEPA documents for transportation projects. The role involves coordinating with internal partners, regulators, and public stakeholders, and may require site travel.

You will mentor staff, oversee complex studies, and ensure environmental commitments are integrated into design and construction. Hybrid telework is available for this permanent, full-time position in San Luis Obispo County.

Qualifications

• Describe knowledge and experience leading the preparation and review of complex CEQA/NEPA environmental documents for transportation projects.
• Describe proficiency in applying environmental regulations, integrating technical studies, and ensuring environmental commitments are incorporated into project design and construction.
• Describe experience managing multiple high‑priority projects, tracking deadlines, and overseeing consultant or staff workflows.
• Describe experience conveying technical information clearly in writing and verbally with regulatory agencies, partner agencies, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor staff; serve as consultants to other technical staff and agencies.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with internal partners, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Oversee lead responsibility for specific project, program function, or area of expertise.

Skills

CEQA/NEPA leadership

Regulatory coordination

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Job description

Equal Opportunity EmployerThe 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 EmployerThe 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-528191

Position #(s) 905-156-0765-XXX

Working Title Senior Environmental Scientist - Lead Worker

Classification SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Salary $7,820.00 - $10,732.00

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 San Luis Obispo County

Telework Hybrid

Job Type Permanent, Full Time

Caltrans Mission Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description And Duties

Under the direction of the Environmental Branch Chief (Senior Environmental Scientist, Supervisory), the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal project delivery partners, various regulatory agencies, local partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans' projects. This position may require site visits, including travel to remote areas. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project, program function, or area of expertise. Addiitonally, incumbent may mentor to lower level staff; and serves as consultants to other technical staff, management, and other agencies in those matters.

PARF# 05-27-0058/ JC- 528191

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions.

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

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.
• A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

• Describe your knowledge and experience leading the preparation and review of complex CEQA/NEPA environmental documents for transportation projects.
• Describe your proficiency in applying environmental regulations, integrating technical studies, and ensuring environmental commitments are incorporated into project design and construction.
• Describe your experience managing multiple high-priority projects, tracking deadlines, and overseeing consultant or staff workflows.
• Describe your experience conveying technical information clearly in writing and verbally while coordinating with regulatory agencies, partner agencies, and the public.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.