Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!

Under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientists at this entry level position performs a variety of the less complex professional scientific office and fieldwork assignments. The incumbents apply scientific methods and principles in the quantification, distribution and dissipation of pesticides and other pollutants in the environment. The incumbents may analyze and evaluate available data on the effects of pesticide applications on the environment and human health. Specific responsibilities include:

Analyze monitoring and environmental data using a variety of tools and techniques including statistics, programing language (e.g., SQL, R, Python, etc.), geographic information systems (GIS), databases, and computer modeling (AERMOD, CALPUFF) in support of Air Program Exposure Mitigation efforts. Investigate and assist in developing new modeling techniques, methods and technologies that have the potential to prevent adverse public and environmental health effects from pesticide exposure.

Plan, organize, and coordinate scientific/technical research to assess the environmental fate and transport of pesticides in the soil and atmosphere. Identifies practices to prevent or reduce pesticide impacts on human health and other biological receptors in the environment and identifies and evaluates mitigation options to reduce adverse effects of pesticides on human health.

Write scientific reports and technical documents for publication. Review registration data for soundness. Make oral presentations to governmental organizations, scientific associations, growers, and the public.

Participate in field research studies and field sampling, and assist Air Program study leads in field coordination in support of air program objectives.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Employees 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 employees must have the ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours under a variety of climatic conditions and, also, operate vehicles on public roadways or travel to remote areas. Travel that includes flying and/or driving on short notice and overnight stays will be required on trips to various field locations and meetings. Employees may occasionally be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to minimize exposure to hazards. PPE include, but not limited to, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, hard hats, coveralls, and tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment. When respiratory protective equipment is required, the employees must adhere to the fitting requirements stated in DPR’s respiratory protection policy.

NOTE : These positions 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.

Beginning July 1, 2026, it is anticipated these positions will be office-centered and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

• The position(s) is (are) 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.

• 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.

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
• Ability to work productively both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to take direction and guidance well
• Have strong organization and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to meet deadlines, be productive and maintain composure under pressure/stress
• Ability to learn or knowledge of drift, air dispersion, soil physics, soil hydrology, and agricultural practices
• Experience in conducting environmental monitoring (e.g., ambient air sampling, drift sampling, or soil sampling) studies
• Experience in working with environmental sampling equipment
• Ability to learn or knowledge of programming languages such as R, Python, C++, SQL, SAS
• Ability to learn or knowledge of GIS and geospatial analysis
• Ability to learn or knowledge of statistical and time-series analysis
• Experience proficiently writing technical reports or peer review scientific journal articles

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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.

Instruction :
Your answer must be limited to one page, typed with single line spacing and in 12-point font.

Question :
Please explain why you are the best candidate for this position. You may use your experience and expertise in, but not limited to, environmental monitoring, using GIS for geo-spatial analysis, modeling tools such as HYDRUS, ISCTS3, AGDISP, or AERMOD, and programming languages such as C++, R, Python, and SQL in data analysis.

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

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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Remote work, Night shift

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