Environmental health specialist Jobs in Fontana, CA

Job Description and Duties

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

Reporting to the Environmental Program Manager I, the Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist performs a broad and complex range of scientific and professional office and field duties involving the research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics of agricultural programs for the Cotton Pest Control Program and the Integrated Pest Control Branch.

Duties include but are not limited to the following :

• Independently develops and implements pest detection, eradication and control methods for exotic agricultural and natural resource pests that occur in California.
• Collect descriptive and spatial data derived from the analysis of laboratory and applied research studies and uses data to write scientific reports and / or presentations.
• Evaluate efficacy and environmental impact of pest detection and eradication projects to monitor program objectives.
• Prepare environmental permit packages, regulatory permits, and other documents for state, county, and local agencies.
• Apply scientific methods and principles in the identification, research, and solution of problems in the areas of pest detection, eradication and control, environmental monitoring, point source pollution prevention, natural resources protection, agronomy, and land and water use.
• Evaluate available data collected from research and implementation activities.
• Inspect pest control programs to assure that they are biologically sound and validate contract compliance.
• Develop regulatory measures for the state, county, local agencies and invested stakeholders, and implements environmental standards, environmental and environmental health-related regulations.
• Travel to sites and conducts pest detection, eradication and control planning and implementation activities.
• Gather and evaluate information from research activities to prepare outreach materials and brochures.
• Participate in legal hearings and field investigations as a staff resource for environmental matters.
• Organize and edit scientific papers for publication.
• Meet and confer with individuals to provide regulatory guidance in order to obtain compliance with current laws and regulations. Acts as the secretary of the California Cotton Pest Control Board.

Please refer to duty statement for more information.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Approximately 50% of the workload will be in permanent buildings or trailers leased or owned by the state or cooperating agencies or other locations. The setting is standard with a phone, computer, keyboard, desks, tables, chairs, fax machine, copier, stapler, printers, calculators, and writing instruments. Computer software used may include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher as well as other databases / software created especially for a given research task.

The remaining 50% of the workload requires traveling to remote and / or populated areas within the State of California via government (State or Federal) assigned vehicle (car / truck). When working in the field, the incumbent works alone or with a group of field scientists and / or seasonals. Incumbent works with varied and unfamiliar vehicles and equipment, including excavators, airboats, kayaks, trailers, pumps of various kinds, and ATVs. The incumbent may work in isolated locations and may work alone for extended periods. Often, activities may require driving for several hours (alone or with company), lifting objects and moving equipment of various weights. Also, the incumbent may encounter extremes in temperature, humidity, variable terrain (smooth to irregular and unstable), and often aquatic or riparian situations. Incumbent may be required to enter or swim in bodies of water (lakes and ponds) that vary in temperature, length, width, and depth. Incumbent may also be required to navigate variable lengths of distance over unpredictable terrain. Various sitting, bending, stooping, standing, and reaching motions may be required on an irregular basis. Noise level for work is variable. Incumbent may work extended hours and days at any given time in the month including holidays. Incumbent may also be required to travel on a short notice that requires full days or over few to several nights in length.

During Cotton season, the incumbent is required to report to the Shafter office.

Incumbent may be required on short notice to work on emergency projects for the Branch or any other program for the Plant Division. The work environments for these projects closely resemble the above paragraph and may involve longer travel days.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA's Telework Policy.

Special Requirements

Bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, or a closely related scientific discipline.

Must also possess a valid CA Driver’s License and safe driving record.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page

Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. ​ State Civil Service Act

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Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.

Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts

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Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits ​Specific Benefits ​Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.