Exam Bulletin - Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer

Department of Toxic Substances Control

Exam Code: EX-2542

Examination Plans Included:

  • SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • Salary section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
  • Salary section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER: $9,373.00 - $11,654.00 (A) per Month
SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER: $11,094.00 - $13,888.00 (B) per Month

View the SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2542

For SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02542

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00103725 - SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a Bachelor of Science Degree with major work in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management Engineering from a college accredited by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development for training in engineering or equivalent degree approved by the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10. and

(Registration as a Senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

(Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years. When substituting experience for education, qualifying education must include a minimum of 60 semester units in the engineering subjects noted above from an accredited college or equivalent units from an institution approved by the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.)

(For Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer and above, possession of an engineering Master's Degree in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management Engineering or a directly related engineering field from a recognized college or university may be substituted for one year of the general experience requirement; an engineering Doctoral Degree in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Waste Management or a directly related engineering field from a recognized college or university may be substituted for two years of the general experience requirement.)

(Possession of a valid certificate as an engineer-in-training as issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may be substituted for the required education.)

Experience:
Either 1

Four years of experience in the California state service performing hazardous substances management duties at a level of responsibility not less than a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C.

Or 2

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range D.

Or 3

Six years of increasingly responsible professional experience in hazardous substances management or process control engineering, which shall have been comparable in type and level to that of a Hazardous Substances Engineer, Range C, in the California state service.

Position Description

00103725 - SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER

This is the staff specialist level of the series responsible for independently performing the most complex and difficult engineering workload which is demonstrably above the journey level in Headquarters and regional settings. Incumbents may report to Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineers II or higher supervisory and management levels within DTSC. Incumbents may act as project managers on the most difficult or complex projects; review technical work products of lower-level staff; act as mentor to new staff and as technical and program consultants to all levels of the Department and external entities or individuals. Incumbents may act as lead persons in line program units, or on assigned projects, studies, or task forces. Incumbents may also be assigned statewide responsibility for the development of engineering protocol, research studies, and related programs; participate in or be assigned responsibility for making policy recommendations, strategic planning, regulation, and legislation development in major program areas requiring engineering expertise above the full journey level.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Hazardous substances management and/or public health engineering principles and practices.
  2. Treatment and disposal methods of hazardous waste.
  3. Programs for resource recovery.
  4. Hazardous substances management facilities engineering design, construction, and operation processes.
  5. Hazardous substances disposal systems and resource recovery processes.
  6. Public health and hazardous substances management engineering principles, practices, and administrative procedures.
  7. State laws pertaining to public health and hazardous substances management engineering in California.
  8. Hazardous substances management facilities design and construction.
  9. The major DTSC program areas.
  10. State and Federal regulations such as CEQA, RCRA, CERCLA, CAA, CWA, and the TSCA.
  11. Project management methods and techniques.
  12. Hazardous substances disposal systems, detoxification, and purification processes.
  13. Resource recovery processes and hazardous substances management programs.

Ability to:
  1. Review, check, and interpret hazardous substances management engineering plans, estimates, and specifications.
  2. Evaluate findings and make recommendations for the elimination or control of unsanitary or hazardous conditions.
  3. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  4. Communicate effectively.
  5. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  6. Interpret laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to public health and hazardous substances management engineering in California.
  7. Interpret and apply State and Federal regulations.
  8. Prepare project plans.
  9. Review, check, and interpret major hazardous substances management engineering plans, engineering elements of hazardous waste permit applications, facility closure and site cleanup plans, and estimates and specifications.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Toxic Substances Control

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:   

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

 

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

 

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position.  Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience.  All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

 

Tasks:

  1. Researching engineering technologies (e.g., chemical processes, waste treatment/disposal/recovery, construction, manufacturing methodologies) to identify trends and to determine technical viability, applicability and efficiency.  
  2. Preparing or evaluating technical or engineering documents (e.g., reports, environmental assessments, engineering cost estimates, plans, specifications) to determine compliance with standard engineering practices.   
  3. Performing and/or reviewing engineering calculations (e.g., equipment sizing, mass balances, volume estimates, structural integrity) to ensure design accuracy, feasibility, and compliance with standard engineering practices.  
  4. Analyzing and interpreting engineering plans, drawings, and specifications to verify that information is accurate, reasonable, and complies with standard engineering practices.    
  5. Managing projects to ensure that commitments are met and that work products, services, or activities meet quality, quantity, and timeliness standards.
  6. Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting (existing and proposed) public health and/or environmental statutes and regulations to determine the impact on programs, procedures, policies and services.  
  7. Developing and evaluating risk management alternatives (e.g., restricting access, clean-up activities, mitigation measures) for hazardous waste/substances sites or safer consumer products to protect public health and/or the environment.  
  8. Assessing the impact of projects on environmental resources (e.g., air, water, land) to determine appropriate actions to protect human health and/or the environment. 
  9. Investigating sites, facilities and/or industries to identify potential substances and/or operations that may affect public health and/or the environment.
  10. Reviewing analytical data to determine appropriate classification, handling, treatment, disposal and/or recycling of waste and to make decisions and recommendations.
  11. Providing engineering input in creating policies and procedures for hazardous waste management, site cleanup, and/or safer products programs and/or developing contracts (e.g., procurement of materials, services, equipment).
  12. Providing consultative assistance to various entities (e.g., individuals, government agencies, community groups, industries) on engineering, public health, and/or environmental issues.
  13. Overseeing and/or directing the performance of facilities, contractors, and consultants to ensure the work performed (e.g., sampling, analyses, technical document preparation, construction activities) is consistent with the contract’s scope of work and approved plans.   

Testing Departments

  • Department of Toxic Substances Control

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@Calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Toxic Substances Control
Examination & Recruitment
P.O. Box 806, 1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
Phone: (916) 323-2679

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Toxic Substances Control reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)