Job Description and Duties
This position works under the general direction of the Branch Chief, Environmental Stewardship & Management, a Supervising Environmental Scientist in HQ Maintenance, Office of Vegetation and Wildfire Management. The Environmental Scientist is an interdisciplinary team member who will ensure the Division of Maintenance Vegetation Management Program is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and numerous other state and federal environmental resource laws and regulations, as Maintenance increases the pace, scale and expands maintenance treatment methods for natural resource management within the right-of-way to achieve the Department’s strategic and climate adaptation goals. The Environmental Scientist assists with developing best management practices (BMP) to allow for a range of vegetation treatment by Caltrans Maintenance crews, Service Contracts or other local, State or Federal agencies under encroachment permit or other types of agreements. The incumbent identifies and analyzes the environmental impacts of maintenance activities and projects within the Caltrans right-of-way on natural resources. The incumbent formulates, calculates and quantifies measures to mitigate maintenance impacts, and prepares and reviews complex technical studies, analytical reports and environmental documents. The incumbent has a working knowledge of current maintenance practices and treatment methods for managing natural vegetation and is familiar with the 1992 Caltrans Vegetation Control PEIR and the 2019 California Vegetation Treatment Program PEIR (CalVTP). The incumbent is responsible for gathering data and coordinating within maintenance and with other functional units, divisions, and external partners; drafting guidance and policy to support the vegetation management program; performing environmental analysis, research, surveys, field monitoring, investigations, and studies; preparing reports; reviewing toxicology risk assessments; preparing routine correspondence; preparing regulatory and compliance documents; meeting with external partners, attending conferences and other related work in coordination with the Office of Vegetation and Wildfire Management as directed by the Branch Chief. This position may review environmental compliance documentation, including technical studies and permits prepared by consultants and the districts; works with confidential and privileged information; and is charged with managing, tracking, and reporting on project schedule and resources within their purview. The incumbent must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal partners representing maintenance and with various local, state and federal partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans' vegetation management efforts. The incumbent must be solution oriented and will need to investigate innovative solutions to meet deliverables.
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist 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. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Duties will require work to be conducted in a Department office and sometimes in a field environment. The duties will on occasion require work meetings off-site in the offices of other agencies and consultants and with members of the public. The incumbent may also be exposed to uneven terrain and extreme weather conditions during field reviews. This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.
How To Apply: Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.