Job Posting: Senior Environmental Scientist

San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission

JC-482079
-
Senior Environmental Scientist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,556.00 - $10,221.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 7/10/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the supervision of the Bay Resources Program Manager, the Senior Environmental Scientist performs complex scientific and analytical work to review both development and habitat restoration projects in and around the San Francisco Bay. As a member of the Regulatory Division of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (Commission or BCDC), the Senior Environmental Scientist will perform a number of tasks including: pre-application coordination with project proponents; review of restoration and development project proposals to determine consistency with BCDC's laws and policies; participation in meetings and negotiations; preparation of written correspondence, reports, permits, and recommendations and presentations to the Commission on projects and related topics of interest, strategic plans; and provide guidance to staff and applicants on habitat restoration, sea level rise adaptation, and other issues.

The Bay Resources Program is responsible for the review and permitting of projects occurring in the Bay and along the shoreline that impact the natural resources of the Bay, including marshes, beaches, and the Bay itself. Projects reviewed by the Bay Resources Permit program include, but are not limited to, wetland and habitat restoration and/or enhancement projects, bay fill projects, underwater utilities, remediation projects, and other in-water work that affects the Bay ecosystem. Working in the Bay Resources Program, the Senior Environmental Scientist requires a strong working knowledge of scientific principles and methods, and expertise and/or proficiencies in a variety of scientific fields including, but not limited to, physical processes, marine and estuarine biology and ecology, modeling, etc. The Senior Environmental Scientist also acts as a resource to other regulatory and planning staff on natural resource principles and management. The Senior Environmental Scientist may act as a project manager and train other analysts in the Bay Resources Program and the Shoreline Development Program, as necessary.

Note: This is a 12-month limited term position with the potential to become permanent, contingent on funding. 

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 Procedure.  The incumbent will be required to work in the office four days per week per Executive Order N-22-25 with one day a week remote. For employees who live more than 50 miles from BCDC’s San Francisco office will have the option of working two days per week in the San Francisco headquarters and two days per week in a designated Sacramento office.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-482079
Position #(s):
722-101-0765-XXX
Working Title:
Senior Environmental Scientist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,556.00 - $10,221.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Telework
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - 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 regulatory and planning responsibilities over San Francisco Bay, the Suisun Marsh, and along the Bay Area’s nine-county shoreline. BCDC is guided in its actions by state and federal laws, including: the McAteer-Petris Act, Suisun Marsh Preservation Act, Coastal Zone Management Act; and its policies, including the San Francisco Bay Plan, Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, and various special area plans.

Through its laws and policies, BCDC manages land use and resources along hundreds of miles of shoreline, collaborates with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, and facilitates the implementation of the San Francisco Bay Trail and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail. BCDC is a leader in preparing the region for rising sea level through its adoption of Bay Plan Climate Change Policies; the Adapting to Rising Tides Program; and Bay Adapt, a collaborative effort to identify actions that will advance the region’s resilience.

Bay Resources Team

The Bay Resources Team is one of three permitting teams in BCDC’s Regulatory Division and is responsible for reviewing and acting upon permit applications for development projects proposed within the San Francisco Bay. The team is highly collaborative and works closely with design, engineering, legal, and planning staff to assess applications, interpret and apply policies, and develop permit conditions to ensure that projects protect and enhance the Bay’s resources and provide high-quality public access opportunities. Team members work directly with members of the public and other agencies to communicate BCDC’s policies and permitting requirements. Projects range from smaller-scale residential docks and piers to large infrastructure improvements, flood protection, and habitat restoration projects.  

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

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: 7/10/2025

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.
  • Statement of Qualifications - No more than 500 words each:
    • What makes you a good fit for this position?
    • Please describe a time where you navigated a difficult issue managing a project?
  • 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:

You’ll be responsible for reviewing proposals for projects in the San Francisco Bay and along the Bay shoreline. BCDC is looking for someone who thrives in complex fast-paced work environments. Our ideal candidate would be a solution-oriented and self-driven professional who works well with others. The ability to interact well with a multi-disciplinary team that is working in a rapidly changing regulatory environment is essential, as are the ability to analyze and solve problems and the capacity to become a strong negotiator. 

This is an opportunity to take ownership in the evaluation and analysis of projects happening in the Bay, so knowledge about California ecology and the environmental regulatory process is highly advantageous. Experience in project management and utilizing verbal and written communication skills to frequently interact with stakeholders such as applicants, consultants, staff, and other government contacts would be valuable.

Benefits

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

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://www.bcdc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Julie Garren
(415) 352-3624
julie.garren@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:
Reylina Ruiz
(415) 352-3638
humanresources@bcdc.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.

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
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