Job Posting: SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-529944
-
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00 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: 9/8/2026

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

 

Under direction of the Environmental Program Manager I (EPM I) (Supervisory), the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) performs a range of duties involving supervision of staff, data analysis, research projects and stakeholder engagement for the Citrus Division. This involves interaction with federal, State, and county agencies as well as other cooperators and interested or affected groups.

 

The Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division's headquarters is conveniently located in South Natomas. The location offers free parking and is within walking distance of retail centers containing restaurants.

 

As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!

 

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

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

Working Conditions

The work settings vary. 70 percent of the work will be performed in permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the State or cooperating agencies or other locations. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Offices for employees working indoors are equipped with standard office equipment including a desk, chair, phone, filing and storage cabinets, printer, copier and fax machines, and computers. Computer software used may include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and statistical modeling.

 

30 percent of the workload requires traveling to remote and/or urban areas within the State for meetings or evaluating program progress in the field. When working in the field, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature and humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and aquatic or riparian situations. The incumbent may work with varied vehicles and equipment such as global positioning system units, spray equipment, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. Activities may require the mixing, loading and application of pesticides, driving for several hours, lifting, bending, reaching and climbing, and moving equipment. Noise level for work is variable.

 

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-529944
Position #(s):
014-362-0764-002
Working Title:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)
$10,854.00 - $13,493.00
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.  

 

The primary responsibilities of the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (Citrus Division) are detection, suppression, and eradication of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) throughout the State. Due to the expansions of ACP and HLB, it is imperative that ACP control and HLB eradication activities be enhanced and quarantine regulation enforcement measured. The Citrus Division will carry out HLB eradication and ACP control in a systematic and consistent manner that addresses local conditions, while augmenting quarantine regulation enforcement activities in existing and newly detected areas. These activities are accomplished through the operation of a statewide detection trapping program, ACP and HLB surveys, emergency treatment and response, and implementation of environmental monitoring practices. This is provided through general, federal, and industry-funded programs. The Citrus Division consults with the Primary State Scientists, global subject matter experts (Technical Working Groups), and regulatory agencies (Department of Pesticide Regulation, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and the California Environmental Protection Agency. The Citrus Division will operate out of field offices located within three geographical districts. Each district works under the general direction of the Sacramento headquarters staff and the director of the Citrus Division.

 

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/

Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions/prompts are below.

 

• Restate questions/prompts prior to response

• Include your name and job control number at the top of each page

• Must be single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, and Arial size 11 font

 

  1. Sound personnel management and leadership skills, including the ability to manage teams and bring complex projects to a successful completion.
  2. Ability to develop positive and cooperative working relationships and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the management, other governmental agencies, stakeholders, and professional organizations.
  3. Education and experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical modelling, and/or computer programming.

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: 9/8/2026

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:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch, JC-529944
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch, JC-529944
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
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.
  • School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications - A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application (STD. 678) to be considered. Please see the Special Requirements section for the SOQ details.
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.

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.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Nilan Watmore
(916) 704-5340
nilan.watmore@cdfa.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:
EEO Officer
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.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.

Additional Information:

Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.

 

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

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