Environmental Scientist

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.

Job Code: JC-510611

Position #(s): -XXX

Working Title: HQ VMP Environmental Compliance Scientist

Classification: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Salary: $4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A; $5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B; $6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website:

Director’s EEO Policy:

This position works under the general direction of the Branch Chief, Environmental Stewardship & Management, a Supervising Environmental Scientist in HQ Maintenance, Office of Natural Resource 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) and vegetation management treatment prescriptions 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, the 2019 California Vegetation Treatment Program PEIR (CalVTP), and/or the California Forest Practice Act & Rules.

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; drafting treatment prescriptions, including flagging of vegetation for removal and/or retention, 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 Natural Resource 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…