POSITION DETAILS

Job Code #: JC-377596
Position #(s): 014-605-0765-XXX
Working Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Classification: SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) $7,336.00 - $9,126.00
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: Sacramento County
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

The primary responsibilities of the Integrated Control Branch (IPCB) are the detection and control or eradication of non-native, invasive species that threaten California's agricultural and natural resources. This is accomplished through several general, federal, and industry funded Programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, the Cotton Pest Program, Curly Top Virus Program, Hydrilla Eradication Program, Forest Service Grants Program, Vertebrate Control Research Program, Naval Orangeworm Program, Biological Control Program, Apiary Protection Program, and the Weed Program.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES

The Integrated Pest Control Branch is recruiting to fill one (1) Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) position located in Sacramento.

Under the general direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent performs a broad range of scientific and professional office and field duties involving the research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics for the Integrated Control Branch.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Independently complete California Pest Rating Proposal Forms (CPRPF), as required by State regulation, establishing pest risk assessments of noxious weeds to determine the appropriate rating.
• Analyze and re-evaluate, as required by State regulation, existing risk assessments and pest ratings to determine if the risk assessments and pest ratings are still appropriate and propose new pest ratings with revised risk assessments.
• Serve as a scientific information resource for the CDFA, the County Departments of Agriculture, USDA, and other stakeholders by providing scientific botanical information.
• Develop and implement innovative field research activities on the effects of invasive plant species detection, control, and eradication for the protection of livestock, human health, vegetation, fish, wildlife, water supplies, land, and other aspects of the environment.
• Develop the complex environmental regulatory measures for the State, county, local agencies and stakeholders as well as advises on implementation, environmental standards, and various environmental health-related regulations.
• Act as a lead for other Environmental Scientists and technical/professional staff that conduct invasive plant species detection, eradication and control activities for regional or statewide programs.
• Provide complex scientific feedback on USDA's pest risk assessments for new commodities proposed for market access to California. This includes understanding of exotic weed species globally and any associated risk to California agriculture and the environment.
• Analyze information from research activities to prepare and/or review intricate and difficult environmental impact reports and other documents to determine the effects of proposed activities on the environment.
• Execute complicated scientific analyses (including descriptive and spatial statistics or modelling) from collected data from field and applied research studies and prepare scientific reports and/or presentations. Perform multifaceted research activities to evaluate efficacy and environmental impact of projects.
• Prepare or consult on environmental permitting packages, regulatory permits, and other environmental documents for State, county, and local agencies. Coordinate with other environmental and environmental health programs with public and private agencies.
• Advertise grant opportunities for eradication and control of non-native invasive plant species to external entities.
• Manage weed program grants to support eradication and control of non-native invasive plant species.

Please refer to duty statement for more information regarding this position.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

About 80% of the workload will be in permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the state or cooperating agencies, home office, or other locations. The setting is standard with a phone, computer, keyboard, desks, tables, chairs, copier, stapler, printers, calculators, and writing instruments. Computer software used may include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher as well as other databases/software created especially for a given research task.

The remaining 20% of the workload requires traveling to remote and/or populated areas within the State of California via government (state or Federal) assigned vehicle (car/truck). Incumbent will be required to travel. Travel may be on a short notice that requires full days or over few to several nights in length. When working in the field, the incumbent works alone or with a group of scientists, field staff, and partners. Incumbent may work with varied and unfamiliar vehicles and equipment, including excavators, airboats, kayaks, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Often, activities may require driving for several hours (alone or with company), lifting objects, and moving equipment of various weights. Also, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and move through mud, shallow water, and dense vegetation. Incumbent may be required to enter or swim in bodies of water (lakes and ponds) that vary in temperature, length, width, and depth. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable. Incumbent may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays.

Incumbent may be required on short notice to work on emergency projects for the Branch or any other program for the Plant Division. The work environments for these projects closely resemble the above second paragraph and may involve longer travel days.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA's Telework Policy.

For the complete position description, visit https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=377596.