SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER

California Department of Toxic Substances Control; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is seeking a dynamic Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer to join the Site Mitigation and Restoration Program's Climate Change Unit in Sacramento. You will provide expert engineering input, review plans, and guide cleanup projects affected by climate hazards such as sea level rise, wildfire, and flooding.

As Senior HSE, you will support DTSC project managers and executives, oversee technical specifications, conduct research, and

Qualifications

• Valid certification of registration as a Civil Engineer preferred.
• Experience in progressively responsible civil engineering work.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental site cleanup regulations, laws, policies, and guidance related to remediation.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert engineering consultative services for complex, controversial sites to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review workplans, reports, and design documents; provide recommendations on scope, procedures, and equipment.
• Assess climate-change impacts and vulnerabilities at hazardous waste sites; develop adaptation plans as needed.
• Oversee technical specifications for contracts and assist in contractor selection.
• Coordinate planning and implementation of cleanup at complex sites to ensure regulatory requirements are met.
• Conduct in-depth regulatory research to develop strategies addressing cleanup practices sensitive to public health.

Skills

Civil engineering

Team leadership

GIS

Public communication

Education

PE certification

Tools

GIS

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 - Drug-Free Workplace

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-522437
• Position #(s): 810-541-3725-XXX
• Working Title: Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer
• Classification: SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER
• $9,654.00 - $12,004.00 A
• $11,427.00 - $14,305.00 B
• New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
• # of Positions: 1
• Work Location: Sacramento County
• Telework: Hybrid
• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
• Facility: Cal Center Regional Office

Department Information

This position is located at our Cal Center Regional office in Sacramento, CA.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDO) 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!

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

Job Description And Duties

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is looking for a dynamic Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer (HSE) to join Site Mitigation and Restoration Program’s (SRMP) Climate Change Unit, which addresses climate vulnerabilities on contaminated site cleanup projects. Working under the direction of the Climate Change Unit Supervising HSE I, this role will provide expert engineering input, review, and guidance for cleanup sites and remediation projects that are subject to climate hazards (e.g., sea level rise, wildfire, flooding). As Senior HSE, you will work on DTSC’s most complex cleanup sites and provide technical support to DTSC project managers and executive staff.

• Provide expert engineering consultative services to DTSC staff on the most complex and controversial sites to ensure technical and regulatory requirements are met
• Independently investigate and evaluate technology screening or selection, feasibility studies, lab or field treatability testing, design/construction of remedial actions, and operation and maintenance of treatment facilities, which include reviewing workplans, reports, or design documents prepared by others and providing written or verbal recommendations on the scope, procedures, equipment, conclusions, and changes or additional work needed
• Assess climate‑change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation plans for hazardous waste sites
• Develop assessments and adaptation plans of climate‑change impacts on toxic waste sites, where necessary, based on prioritization of climate change risks and potential to affect vulnerable communities
• Oversee the preparation of technical specifications for contracts and assist in contractor selection for various projects
• Provide technical assistance to DTSC staff in planning, coordinating, and implementing cleanup at the most complex/sensitive sites to ensure technical and regulatory requirements are met
• Independently conduct in-depth industry and regulatory research to develop strategies that address specific cleanup practices that may be sensitive to public health and/or the environment

Desirable Qualifications We Look For

• Valid certification of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers preferred
• Experience in progressively responsible civil engineering work
• Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental site cleanup regulations, laws, policies, and guidance as they relate to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil vapor sites and the design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered remediation and mitigation systems
• Knowledge and experience in the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of remediation systems for the cleanup of contaminated soils, groundwater, soil vapor, and sediment
• Knowledge and experience in design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered landfill systems
• Geographic Information System (GIS) skills
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, leading teams, managing group discussions, and integrating multiple different ideas and views to make a recommendation or to facilitate a decision

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application, and it serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is a narrative describing how an applicant’s education and experience meet the evaluation criteria below and qualify them for the position. You must include specific examples addressing each of these evaluation criteria. Your SOQ should be no more than three (3) pages, typed, and in 12-point Arial font.

In your SOQ, please explain your qualifications in the following areas:

• Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental site cleanup regulations, laws, policies, and guidance as they relate to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil vapor sites and the design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered remediation and mitigation systems.
• Experience in the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of remediation systems for the cleanup of contaminated soils, groundwater, soil vapor, and sediment.
• Experience presenting information, including technical information, verbally and in writing, to high level decision makers and/or the public.

Application Deadlines and Eligibility

Final Filing Date: 8/25/2026

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.