Surface Water Quality Specialist

Job Description and Duties

The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) acts as the scientific expert on the protection of surface water from pesticide contamination.

The incumbent will help lead or coordinate specific monitoring efforts for the Surface Water Protection Program and act as the technical expert regarding aquatic toxicology data.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Conceives, proposes, plans, organizes, and directs the most difficult and complex surface water protection tasks, including primary and lead responsibility on scientific and technical aspects of research on pesticide monitoring, fate and transport, and adverse impacts.
• Independently conceives plans and implements complex studies designed to characterize and assess the spatial and temporal distributions of pesticide detections (and associated toxicity and aquatic organism impairment) in water and sediment using analytical tools/techniques.
• Provides quality assurance and quality control of monitoring methods, analytical methods and monitoring data. Gathers, manages, assesses, and interprets monitoring and ecotoxicological data and make recommendations for actions. Designs or defines needed equipment and instrumentation required for research, or develops new research methods to solve the most difficult surface water monitoring needs.
• Coordinates with state and federal pesticide and water quality agencies on scientific and regulatory projects of shared interest; consults with agencies, universities, growers, registrants, County Agricultural Commissioners, and stakeholders on complex monitoring and mitigation studies and other ecological health projects. Interacts with an interdisciplinary team of scientists.
• Writes reports, documents and technical publications, and makes oral presentations to governmental entities, professional societies, stakeholders, or pesticide user groups. Acts as lead evaluator of aquatic or ecotoxicology data and serves as technical advisor for programmatic or project needs.
• Performs critical review of data and proposed projects submitted by registrants, DPR staff, and other agencies for scientific integrity and application to program objectives.

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

Working Conditions

Works in a high-rise building under artificial lighting. Uses a computer up to 8 hours per day.

The position will require some travel and occasional nights away from the office during the year (up to 25% of the time).

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.

The employee must have the ability to conduct field work for long hours under a variety of climatic conditions and carry scientific equipment as needed.

Also, the position requires the employee to operate vehicles on public roadways or travel to remote areas.

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

- [SENIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)])
- [
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST])

Additional Documents

- [Job Application Package Checklist])
- [Duty Statement])

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-441640

Position #(s):

Working Title:
Surface Water Quality Specialist

Classification:
SENIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7, $9,126.00

Shall Consider:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4, $5,132.00 A

$5, $6,250.00 B

$6, $7,926.00 C

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Appointment to this position is pending administrative approval.

If you are excited by challenging work and are passionate about preserving California's environment, then consider joining the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

As part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR is a self-funded department dedicated to protecting human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and fostering reduced-risk pest management.

The Surface Water Protection Program (SWPP) in the Environmental Monitoring (EM)

Branch, conducts research in several areas including:

the fate and transport of pesticides in surface water, mitigation of pesticide runoff, and exposure assessment of aquatic organisms to pesticides.

We monitor pesticides in wastewater, urban and agricultural surface waters and sediment, assess and model environmental impacts of pesticides, and propose mitigation and regulatory measures to protect the quality of California's surface water systems.

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 regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest management.

Join DPR to improve the lives of all Californians.

This position will be based out of Sacramento, CA at the DPR Headquarters.

Department Website:
Special Requirements

• 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.
• In order to apply for this position, you are required to provide your complete employment history on the Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678) form. A complete employment history must include, for each position listed, accurate dates, job title or State classification, hours worked per week (please indicate an average if hours worked per week varied), company or agency name, and a full description of duties and responsibilities held. A resume or other materials will not take the place of the complete STD. 67
• 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.

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.

Final Filing Date: 8/17/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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).

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 When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Pesticide Regulation

Attn:
Human Resources Branch

1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015

Sacramento, CA

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Pesticide Regulation

1001 I Street, MS 4B

Sacramento, CA95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application.

Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• 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 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 required and must be included.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts

Supplemental Application

• A response to the supplemental question is required to be considered interested/eligible in the position. The supplemental question and instructions are listed in the "Supplemental Questionnaire" section of this advertisement. 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.

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.

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
• Experience designing and conducting environmental monitoring and/or field research projects related to surface water quality
• Prior project management experience or acting in a lead role considered an asset for this position
• Knowledge of hydrology, pesticide practices, environmental chemistry, experimental design, field data collection, statistics, data visualization, and basic database management
• Experience presenting complex scientific information in understandable, concise, and compelling ways to a range of stakeholders
• Ability to evaluate and analyze basic and complex aquatic toxicology, ecotoxicology, or water quality data
• Excellent verbal, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a group with a diverse team of scientists
• Ability to work with diverse cultural communities
• Possesses a valid California driver's license

Critical Job Competencies

Communication, Decisiveness, Ethics/Integrity, Flexibility/Adaptability, Political Acumen, Problem Solving, Project Management, Self-Motivation, Optimism, Sustained Commitment, Perseverance, Patience, Teamwork, Technical Credibility

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits offered to eligible employees, please visit the CalHR website at []).

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

Human Resources Contact:
Lauren Texeira

Hiring Unit Contact:
Marsha Guzzi

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

California Relay Service:
TTY), Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Supplemental Questionnaire

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 total response must be no longer than one (1) page (single-spaced; 12 point font).

Question:

• Please explain what makes you the best candidate for this position in relation to your educational background, work history, and overall experience.

Note:
Resumes, letters, and other materials will not take the place of the supplemental application.

Additional Information

The Environmental Scientist classification is a deep class position with increasing responsibilities; candidate's experience/education will determine which range they will be placed in.

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.

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