SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

California Department of Conservation; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Conservation is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to join the Abandoned Mine Lands Unit in Sacramento. Under the direction of AMLU Supervisor, you will identify, locate, characterize, and remediate AML across California, performing field and office tasks in support of public safety and resource protection.

This permanent, full-time role requires travel and adherence to the department's conflict of interest code; applicants must provide transcripts

Responsibilities

• Perform field and office tasks related to identifying, locating, characterizing, and remediating AML in California.

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-537653

Position #(s): 538-600-0765-002

Working Title: Abandoned Mine Lands Environmental 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: Multiple

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information With a team of scientists and other dedicated professionals, the Department of Conservation (DOC) administers a variety of programs vital to California's public safety, environment, and economy. The services DOC provides are designed to balance today's needs with tomorrow's obligations by fostering the wise use and conservation of energy, land, and mineral resources. All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

CNRA Career Center The CNRA Career Center, located in downtown Sacramento, is open to both prospective and current employees looking to grow their careers. The center provides a range of personalized services designed to support you at every stage of your professional journey.

• One-on-One career consultations
• Application and résumé reviews
• Personalized career guidance
• Mock interviews
• Tips and best practices for applying to positions

Location: Poppy Pavilion, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Hours of Operation: Tuesday–Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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

Job Description And Duties In accordance with CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies. Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary by 3% in exchange for leave credits. The salary range(s) included on this job advertisement do not reflect this reduction in pay. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue PLP 2025 hours on the first day of each pay period in accordance with their applicable Bargaining Unit contract. PLEASE NOTE: All relevant work experience, skills sets, and professional qualifications must be listed on the STD. 678. Applications will be screened based on the information provided on the STD. 678 and not on your resume or SOQ. Failure to include required information on the STD. 678 may result in elimination from the recruitment process. Under the direction of the Abandoned Mine Lands Unit (AMLU) Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) will be responsible for performing a variety of field and office tasks related to identifying, locating, characterizing, and remediating AML in California.

Special Requirements

• This position requires travel.
• This position is subject to the Department’s Conflict of Interest Code.
• If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.

Eligibility Information: If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) Exam. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet Minimum Qualifications, the applicant will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Applicants who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org . Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.

The Department of Conservation does not participate in the E-Verify system or STEM OPT extension program. Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications

Statement of Qualifications Please answer the questions and prompts below. The response should be no more than three (3) pages, typed, single spaced and free of typing and spelling errors. Your SOQ should include "Statement of Qualifications" in the header, along with the Job Control number and your name.

• Describe your education and experience in geology, mining, natural resource management, habitat restoration, and/or other closely related natural science disciplines.
• Describe your ability to safely conduct field work in remote areas for up to two weeks per month. How would you adapt to changing field conditions?
• What is your experience in collecting scientific data and using spreadsheets, databases, and ArcGIS to conduct analysis?
• Describe your experience working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team while maintaining a positive work environment.
• What experience do you have engaging, facilitating, and collaborating with local, state, and/or federal agencies/departments and Tribes?

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Final Filing Date: 11/23/2026

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).