Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under the supervision of a Branch Chief, Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist will perform a wide variety of scientific and technical investigations. The Environmental Scientist is a key member of the District 4 Division of Environmental Planning and Engineering and Caltrans Project Development Team and is responsible for ensuring environmental compliance on transportation projects through the preparation of technical reports; obtaining permits from state and federal regulatory agencies; and developing mitigation activities. The Environmental Scientist conducts biological surveys and habitat assessments; gathers data on natural resources; identifies and analyzes the impacts of transportation projects on biological resources; and develops measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate those impacts.

The Environmental Scientist will be expected to understand complex biological analysis methods and present their findings in detailed and comprehensive technical documents. These documents, often shared with the public and external agencies, serve as the foundation for our CEQA and NEPA findings. The candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and adapt to changing workloads and deadlines. Candidates with multiple years of experience in Bay Area botany, ornithology, mammalogy, geomorphology, ichthyology, along with excellent writing skills are preferable.

PARF# 04-26-0010 / JC-507385

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.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.  Apply today to join our team!  We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool!  The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Position located at 111 Grand Ave Oakland, Alameda County

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

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.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.

• Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than one page in length, and 12-point Arial font.

Provide sufficient detail with each question to indicate why you believe your knowledge, skills, and experience would make you the best candidate to take on the roles and responsibilities of this position. Your response should provide specific, job-related experiences and increased level of responsibility that demonstrate the following:

1. A working understanding of federal and state environmental regulatory processes and laws as they relate to transportation or other linear infrastructure or habitat restoration. Provide specific examples of your involvement where possible, give basic background, challenges and outcomes.

2. This position is a rank-and-file role that is responsible for conducting some or all of the following: project impact analyses, document writing and reviewing, general biological field studies, participating in meetings and large, interdisciplinary teams, as well as overseeing the work of consultant contractors. Please describe your experience conducting some or all of these tasks.

3. Caltrans projects typically include work on roadways, bridges, and culverts that can impact many types of natural environments. Based on your experience working as an environmental scientist in the fields of botany, fisheries, ornithology, mammalogy, herpetology, habitat restoration or protection etc., provide a specific example(s) where you worked on identifying impacts, addressing these issues, and coordinating with state and federal agencies and how the issue was resolved.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: or . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

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:

BS/MA in Biology with coursework in botany, mammalogy, field surveys, marine and estuarine ecology, aquatic resources, and/or habitat restoration. OR, having work experience in these areas for a minimum of three years with increased complexity. Be familiar with state and federal environmental laws and permitting in California. Above average attention to detail, analytical and critical-thinking and writing skills, the ability to spot discrepancies in information and find solutions, problem solving skills, ability to accept and provide constructive criticism, work interdependently and as part of a team.

Benefits

to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Important Application Instructions:

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-507385), PARF# 04-26-0010 and title of the position (Environmental Scientist) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be  excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  • Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Work experience placement, Remote work

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