Job Posting: Environmental Climate Scientist

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission

JC-467346
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Environmental Climate Scientist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,269.00 - $8,877.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 3/18/2025

Job Description and Duties

BCDC is seeking an Environmental Scientist with experience in climate science and sea level rise adaptation to support BCDC’s science-based planning and policy program, the Adapting to Rising Tides Program Data and Science unit.  The Environmental Scientist will provide agency and region-wide expertise to ensure that BCDC’s planning and policy initiatives are based on the most recent science, coordinated with BCDC’s laws and policies, responsive to local and regional technical needs, and informed by academic and scientific cutting-edge research alongside non-traditional or community knowledge.

Under general direction of the Adapting to Rising Tides Data and Science Manager (Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor), the Environmental Scientist performs complex and specialized science, planning, and policy tasks involving research and analysis, writing, and communications. Tasks may be related to environmental planning, natural resource management, climate change and sea level rise adaptation, shoreline development, ecosystem restoration, bay fill and dredging, resource conservation, adaptation funding and financing, and public access, use, and enjoyment of the Bay. A primary project will be working with agency partners to assist in developing and supporting a sea level rise adaptation investment strategy for the San Francisco Bay Region.

The Environmental Scientist provides work that requires competency in science and data analysis, project management, data communication, and problem solving.  Specific tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

Climate Science: provide expertise in latest climate science, particularly sea level rise and groundwater rise; oversee / coordinate with external partners around the development of sea level rise flood risk models and decision-support tools; research and develop innovative programs to address emerging and evolving problems related to sea level rise.

Technical Research and Evaluation: apply scientific methods to identify, analyze and find solutions for problems in areas of vulnerability assessments, climate adaptation planning, financing and implementation; evaluate data to assess impacts of sea level rise to both human and natural systems; develop technical tools and trainings for staff and partners, and analyze complex policy, assessments, plans, and programs relating to sea level rise.

Plan and Policy Development: work on collaborative stakeholder processes to integrate multiple interests into planning studies and recommendations; prepare written summaries and make oral presentations; coordinate with staff, other agencies and organizations, and experts in the field to develop planning and policy documents; work closely with local, state, and federal agencies on best available science related to coastal and climate change issues; represent BCDC to broad audiences, and review local, state, and federal plans and programs for incorporation into BCDC’s work.

Technical and Scientific Communication and Community Engagement: develop communication, engagement, and outreach materials that effectively communicate complex scientific topics; travel to various locations in the Bay Area and/or Sacramento area to meet with and present to stakeholder groups.

General: participate in various BCDC staff programs, staff meetings, and projects; act as a lead person or project manager (as needed) directing the work of other staff or interns.

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

Working Conditions

BCDC’s office is our headquarters in downtown San Francisco. BCDC is a hybrid workplace and offers telework for all employees. Telework is available for this position in accordance with BCDC Telework Policy and Procedures with a semi-weekly in-person office visit.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-467346
Position #(s):
722-101-0762-007
Working Title:
Environmental Climate Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,269.00 - $8,877.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is a State of California government agency located in the City of San Francisco with a mission to protect and enhance San Francisco Bay for this and future generations. Through its laws and policies, BCDC protects hundreds of miles of shoreline, collaborates with local, regional, state and federal agencies and communities, and facilitates the implementation of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail. In 2019, BCDC introduced Environmental Justice and Social Equity policies into the San Francisco Bay Plan, which guide all of its activities. BCDC is a leader in preparing the Bay Area for faster, better and more equitable adaptation to rising sea level, in particular through its Adapting to Rising Tides program and Bay Adapt, a regional strategy for a rising Bay. BCDC recognizes the challenges dealt to frontline communities over centuries of injustice and is committed to understanding these deep-seated historical injustices so that they are not repeated as we endeavor to protect and enhance the Bay for this and future generations.   

The Adapting to Rising Tides Program (ART) is a unit in BCDC’s Planning Division and provides staff support, guidance, tools, and information to help agencies and organizations understand, communicate, and begin to resolve complex climate change issues along the bay shoreline.  

Department Website: https://www.bcdc.ca.gov

Special Requirements

CalCareers

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires. 

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 3/18/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 228
San Francisco, CA 94105

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission
Human Resources
Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 228
San Francisco, CA 94105
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
  • Other - Cover letter.
  • Other - Three professional references.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

The ideal candidate should have expertise in science or environmental-based analysis (including analysis programs that could include ArcGIS, R, Python or other applicable technologies) and familiar with the Bay Area environmental or sea level rise adaptation planning context. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of governmental funding programs, especially those relevant to sea level rise adaptation. The ideal candidate is a tenacious problem solver with strong data sleuthing, conditioning, analysis, troubleshooting, and communication skills who is eager to take on novel multi-disciplinary and data-driven projects. You are skilled at designing effective analysis methods and processes that are fair and transparent, invite participation, and acknowledge multi-disciplinary inputs. The candidate should be able to develop project plans and feel confident making decisions in concert with their supervisor. The person should love the Bay and its shoreline and value BCDC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice, and actively contribute to creating these conditions. Lastly, the candidate should appreciate BCDC’s mandate to balance conservation and development of the Bay’s diverse resources.

Don't have experience with every single job function? Studies have shown that applicants are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with everything in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.bcdc.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Anu Ragunathan
(650) 580-6424
anusha.ragunathan@bcdc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Cory Copeland
(415) 352-3661
cory.copeland@bcdc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Melanie Wong
(415) 904-5433
humanresources@coastal.ca.gov
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.

Benefits

Benefits include paid vacation/sick leave or annual leave; public transit subsidy; 11 paid holidays each calendar year; health, dental, and vision benefits; and deferred compensation and retirement benefit programs. For a list of benefits, go to https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/salary-and-benefits.aspx.

Eligibility

Candidates must be eligible for appointment to the California civil service classification of Environmental Scientist . Current State employees or former State employees with transfer or reinstatement rights at the Environmental Scientist level may apply. To be eligible for transfer or reinstatement, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications of the respective classification. Appointment is subject to the State Restriction of Appointment (SROA) provisions. Applicants must clearly indicate the basis of their eligibility, including SROA, surplus, transfer, reinstatement status, or list eligibility in the Examination or Job Title section on the CA State Application (std 678).

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.

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

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job