Environmental Scientist

and Duties Caltrans Environmental Scientists perform a broad range of work concerning environmental issues related to protecting California's resources as related to transportation projects. Incumbents do field analyses; prepare environmental documents and technical studies, environmental permitting packages and regulatory permits; ensure compliance with various environmental laws and regulations; and conduct environmental protection, planning, and mitigation activities. Incumbents apply scientific methods and principles to analyze and evaluate available data on the effects of transportation projects on all aspects of the environment; prepare and review CEQA/NEPA and other technical documents to determine the effects; and implement mitigation strategies to lessen the impact of those projects.
Under the general direction of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal project delivery partners, various regulatory agencies, local partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans' projects. The incumbent must be solution oriented and will need to investigate innovative solutions to meet deliverables. This work requires strong oral and written skills with the specific ability to prepare technical reports as well as written and verbal correspondence. This position may require site visits, sometimes to remote areas, which may require driving a personal or state vehicle on public roadways or on uneven terrain.

PARF# 04-6-0602 / JC-485126

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

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.

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

Working Conditions

Position located at 111 Grand Ave., Oakland CA 94612, Alameda County

This is a Limited Term position which may be extended to 24 months or become permanent.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

Effective July 1, 2025, all Caltrans employees are required to be in the office four days per week with one telework day. While this position is advertised as "telework-hybrid," please note this updated work arrangement. The District 4 office is located in Oakland, CA.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltranss evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employees designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.