ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Section 106 Coordination Branch Chief, and with input from the Statewide Collections Coordinator and the Native American Cultural Studies (NACS) Chief in the Cultural Studies Office (CSO), the incumbent employs scientific and regulatory expertise in pre-contact archaeology, archaeological collections and curation management, and Native American coordination and consultation to develop statewide policy and implement initiatives to aid district and headquarters staff in cultural resource compliance and environmental analysis.

The incumbent may also review technical cultural resources reports for scientific rigor and statewide consistency with the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement and the PRC 5024 Memorandum of Understanding.

Working independently or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, the incumbent is responsible for carrying out a wide variety of scientific studies and environmental planning activities designed to support the department’s missions and to satisfy state and federal historic preservation and repatriation laws and regulations as applied to transportation projects and programs.

• The incumbent works closely with the NACS Chief and the Statewide Collections Coordinator, as well as other Environmental Planners, Senior Environmental Planners, and other environmental staff;
• provides direct assistance to other units; reviews or assists in creation of environmental compliance documents; provides guidance to the regions and districts on environmental analysis and compliance issues;

develops manuals and guidance; conducts training; and may serve in a lead capacity over other Caltrans staff or student assistants.

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 and search by typing in the classification title.

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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.

PARF# 43-4-047 / JC- 435069

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Position located in Sacramento, Sacramento County.

The work environment will include both field and office environments. In the field, the incumbent may experience all climatic conditions, including rain, and sometimes extreme heat.

Incumbent may be required to visit project sites, where the environmental conditions may vary considerably. While at their base of operation, the employee will work in a climate-controlled office, mostly under artificial light.

However, due to periodic problems with the heating and air conditioning, the building temperature may fluctuate. The incumbent may be required to sit for extended periods of time while attending meetings or when responding to electronic mail or writing reports.

Use of a laptop will be required.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s 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 employee’s 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.

New toState candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification orminimum of alternate range when applicable.

Special Requirements

Possessionof a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leasedvehicle.

Possessionof Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and / orappointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you mustinclude your unofficial transcript(s) / diploma for verification.

Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted andmay be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreigntranscripts / degrees must provide a transcript / degree U.

S. equivalency reportevaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreigncoursework is equivalent.

Here is a list of evaluation agencies : . Please redactbirthdates and social security numbers.

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

Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act.

Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales

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.

866) EAP-4SOC

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.