Job Posting: Unit Chief

Department of Toxic Substances Control

JC-509028
-
Unit Chief
SUPERVISING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER I

$10,138.00 - $15,019.00 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: 5/11/2026

Job Description and Duties

Would you like to lead a high-powered team of professionals dedicated to cleaning up the most challenging contaminated sites? Do you enjoy working with stakeholders and the public? If so, DTSC is hiring a Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I. Come join us today!

 

As a Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I you will have the opportunity to:

  • Review, approve and track the project work of engineering geologist, engineering, and scientist staff performing cleanup activities
  • Provide engineering expertise to staff in the cleanup and remediation of hazardous waste releases
  • Guide staff in the evaluation of characterization and remediation plans and specifications for the locations undergoing cleanup and/or closure
  • Guide staff on evaluating compliance with regulations related to environmental monitoring and enforcement follow-up
  • Provide regulatory oversight on field activities, such as drilling, sample collection, remote sensing, remedial pilot testing, corrective action implementation, and well abandonment to ensure compliance with applicable standards and requirements
  • Coordinate with other programs in DTSC, including Office of Communications and Office of Legal Affairs, to maintain priority on various program activities

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

  • CERCLA/RCRA experience
  • Project/Team management experience
  • California Professional License preferred
  • Environmental remediation experience
  • Contract management experience

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

Working Conditions

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

 

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

 

A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.

 

Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:

DTSC - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-509028
Position #(s):
810-511-3724-501
Working Title:
Unit Chief
Classification:
SUPERVISING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER I
$10,138.00 - $12,603.00 A
$11,998.00 - $15,019.00 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:
Los Angeles County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Commerce Regional Office

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC's Regional office in Commerce, CA.


The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

Our Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.

Our Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.

Our Core Values: DTSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!

DTSC Recruitment Survey:

Click here to complete the DTSC recruitment survey. 

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

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.

 

The SOQ should be no more than 2 pages in length, clearly written and well-organized, and be in Arial font size 12.

 

Your SOQ should address the following:

 

1. Please describe why you are a highly qualified candidate for this position.

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: 5/11/2026

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 Toxic Substances Control
Cypress Regional Office
Attn: Poonam Patel
5796 Corporate Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630-4732

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Toxic Substances Control
CalEPA
Talent Acquisition
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-2828
Drop-off applications must be received, and date stamped by 5:00 PM on the final filing date.
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 -

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the "Special Requirements” section above for additional information.

  • Other - Cover Letter
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 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: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Talent Acquisition
(279) 895-5034
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Poonam Patel
(323) 400-7921
Poonam.Patel@dtsc.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 Office
(916) 324-3095
OCR@dtsc.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 Application Instructions

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.

For mail-in or drop-off applications, please include JC# 509028 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.


Pending Budget Approval - DTSC will obtain all necessary approvals prior to extending a job offer. 

Foreign Degrees


Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degree/ transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.


Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

Examination Information

List eligibility is established through an examination process in which one must apply and successfully pass the examination for the classification. If you have not established list eligibility for the Supervising Hazardous Substances Engineer I, please click on the link to the examination bulletin for more information

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2548

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.