Job Posting: Special Advisor for Environmental Enforcement and Public Health, C.E.A.

CA Environmental Protection Agency

JC-536510
-
Special Advisor for Environmental Enforcement and Public Health, C.E.A.
C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $16,382.00 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: 11/2/2026

Job Description and Duties

Pending CalHR Approval

Under the general direction of the Deputy Secretary for Law Enforcement and Counsel and the CalEPA Secretary, the Special Advisor for Environmental Enforcement and Public Health Response, is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of the CalEPA Enforcement Program. This includes coordinating CalEPA’s statewide and cross-media enforcement response to complex landfill-related environmental threats, including subsurface elevated temperature events.

 

The incumbent will be responsible for providing executive-level leadership and technical coordination, policy direction, and strategic enforcement oversight across six Boards, Departments, and Offices; federal, state, regional, local, and tribal partners; regulated entities; and affected communities. The position is responsible for advancing coordinated enforcement strategies where regulatory authority is distributed among multiple agencies, and no single agency has comprehensive authority to resolve the full scope of the environmental threat.

 

The incumbent will exercise broad discretion and independent judgment on highly sensitive, complex, and precedent-setting matters involving public health, environmental protection, community impacts, legal risk, enforcement strategy, and statewide policy implications. The incumbent will ensure CalEPA uses the full scope of its enforcement coordination authority to support consistent, effective, and timely compliance and enforcement actions; resolve interagency issues; strengthen accountability; improve enforcement programs; and protect communities affected by landfill incidents and other emerging environmental hazards.

 

The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing scientific work and data from scientists across the BDOs to identify the sources of environmental issues. This includes evaluating subsurface elevated temperature (SET) events using scientific evidence, such as leachate levels that may pose environmental health risks, air pollution resulting from SET events, and waste characterization data. This information supports informed policy decisions to address environmental and public health impacts.

 

This position requires the equivalent of graduation from college with a major in physical, biological, or environmental sciences; mathematics; engineering; or a related field.

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

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-536510
Position #(s):
812-010-7500-XXX
Working Title:
Special Advisor for Environmental Enforcement and Public Health, C.E.A.
Classification:
C. E. A.
$12,131.00 - $16,382.00 B
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:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify.

Our mission is to restore, protect and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality.

We fulfill our mission by developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws that regulate air, water and soil quality, pesticide use and waste recycling and reduction. Our departments are at the forefront of environmental science, using the most recent research to shape the state’s environmental laws.

Department Website: http://www.calepa.ca.gov

Special Requirements

  • A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) detailing experience, knowledge, ability, or potential to meet the Desirable Qualifications is required. It is imperative you review the Desirable Qualifications section when responding to the number of questions (5) questions listed below.
  • The SOQ serves as the examination for this position and shall be the only basis for the candidate's final score and rank on the eligible list. The SOQ must not exceed three pages in length with a font size of at least Arial 12 point.
  • The SOQ must provide specific examples indicating the specific years of experience for each numbered item listed below.
  • The SOQ must respond to each question and numbered in the same order listed below or you may be given a disqualifying score.

1. Describe your executive-level leadership experience directing a complex environmental protection, enforcement, regulatory, or public health program involving multiple organizational units, agencies, or jurisdictions.

2. Describe your knowledge and experience applying California environmental laws, regulations, and enforcement authorities. Explain your understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of:

  • CalEPA boards, departments, and offices;
  • Local air districts;
  • Local health departments;
  • Federal agencies; and
  • Tribal governments.

3. Describe your experience coordinating or leading a multi-agency investigation, enforcement initiative, or emergency response involving a complex environmental threat or public health concern.

4.Describe a situation in which you evaluated complex scientific, technical, legal, and policy information to address an environmental or public health issue.

5. Describe your experience leading cross-functional teams and engaging with staff, affected communities, regulated entities, partner agencies, elected officials, or other stakeholders on sensitive, high-profile, or controversial matters.

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: 11/2/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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:

CA Environmental Protection Agency
Shahbanou Cashkouli
Attn: State Air Resources Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

CA Environmental Protection Agency
Shahbanou Cashkouli
State Air Resources Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
If dropping off hardcopy applications, please email exams@arb.ca.gov to confirm submission.
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.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications -
    • The application form submitted MUST be accompanied by a Statement of Qualifications (numbered questions) detailing the experience, knowledge, ability, or potential to meet the Desirable Qualifications. Refer to instructions under Special Requirements.
    • A resume does not replace the Statement of Qualifications.
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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:


•  Demonstrated executive-level leadership experience directing complex environmental protection, enforcement, regulatory, or public health programs involving multiple organizational units or jurisdictions.

•  Knowledge of California environmental laws, regulations, and enforcement authorities, including the roles and responsibilities of CalEPA Boards, Departments, and Offices; local air districts; local health departments; federal agencies; and tribal governments.

•  Experience coordinating multi-agency investigations, enforcement initiatives, or emergency responses involving complex environmental threats, such as landfill subsurface elevated temperature events, landfill gas migration, leachate, groundwater contamination, hazardous emissions, illegal disposal, or related public health concerns.

•  Ability to evaluate and communicate complex scientific, technical, legal, and policy information and use that information to develop enforcement strategies, resolve interagency issues, assess risk, and make sound recommendations to executive leadership.

•  Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and management skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams; supervise and develop staff; work effectively with affected communities and regulated entities; facilitate public and interagency meetings; and communicate clearly on sensitive, high-profile, or controversial matters.

Examination Information

The examination process will consist of an evaluation of candidates' SOQ by a designated screening committee. The screening committee will use a predetermined evaluation criteria derived from the knowledge, skills, and abilities and desirable qualifications listed on this announcement. Candidates should ensure they are thorough when describing their experience relative to the areas described.

The SOQ may also serve as documentation of the candidate's abilities to present information clearly and concisely in writing, since this is a critical factor to successful job performance. The SOQ will be the only basis for the candidate's final score and rank on the eligible list. Candidates will be ranked competitively, and each candidate will be notified in writing of their examination results.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department 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 law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

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 position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.calepa.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Elizabeth Vargas
(279) 216-0643
elizabeth.vargas@arb.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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(279) 208-7061
EEOP@arb.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.

Hard Copy Application Submission

CARB highly recommends electronic application submission for all their Job Control (JC) postings. For those applicants who are unable to submit an electronic application, they may be submitted in paper format and should contain the following information on the first page:

• The JC number listed on the job posting.
• The classification title.
• Current CalCareer I.D. number (from your CalCareer account under the "CalCareer Account" tab).

NOTE: Applicant’s must not include Social Security Numbers, LEAP status information or paperwork, Equal Employment Opportunity information, exam result notices or scores, or medical or criminal history information on any document within their application package.

Please do not submit a second application by paper if you submitted an electronic application.

Failure to follow the application instructions may result in your application not being considered for hire.

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