Description
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring for a Senior Environmental Consultant (Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)) within the Environmental Management Branch (EMB).
About the Environmental Management Branch at CDPH:
The advertised position is in the Environmental Management Branch (EMB). EMB regulates the medical waste industry, pre-harvest commercial shellfish operations, and recreational health (public swimming pools, ocean beaches and organized camps); provides sanitary surveillance of state institutions; administers the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) program; oversees radiological cleanup at military base closure facilities, coordinates the State's Indoor Radon Program, the Medical Waste Management Program and the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH’s) Nuclear Emergency Response Program.
At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
About the Role:
HERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: * Sacramento or Los Angeles *
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities by protecting the public’s health, promoting health and wellness, empowering the public health workforce, and enhancing services through agile operations.
The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) (SES, [SPEC]) independently conducts environmental health surveys and reviews construction plans of adult and youth correctional facilities, state hospitals, developmental centers, schools for the blind and deaf, and other facilities operated by State agencies to ensure compliance with federal and State health and safety laws, regulations, industry standards, and safe operating practices. The SES (Spec) works with the management and operators of these facilities to ensure safe and healthy operating conditions, provide training, and offer consultative services to correct deficiencies. The SES (Spec) provides consultative and professional environmental health services in the areas such as food service operations, housing, vector control, water treatment, waste disposal, cross-connection control, medical services, medical waste management, worker safety, ergonomics, hazardous materials management, and other environmental health-focused programs. This position requires heavy travel up to approximately 75% of the time, and may have overnight stays.
The incumbent works under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor) of the Environmental Health Services Section (EHSS), Institutions and Recreational Health Unit.
If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4287
If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin (LEAP):
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4288
Telework Information
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.
Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment
Responsibilities (please see Duty Statement within the job posting for full details):
- Conducts environmental health surveys and reviews construction plans of adult correctional facilities, state hospitals, developmental centers, schools for the blind and deaf, and other facilities to determine compliance with federal and State health and safety laws, regulations, industry standards, and safe operating practices.
- Prepares comprehensive environmental health survey reports that document and identify deficiencies observed during the surveys and provides recommendations for correcting those deficiencies
- Provides technical assistance and consultation to the administrators of State facilities to ensure program understanding and compliance with federal and State health and safety laws, regulations, industry standards, and safe operating practices.
The deadline to apply is: 11/26/2025 at 11:59pm PST
Link to Apply:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=497160
Link to Minimum Qualifications:
https://eservices.calhr.ca.gov/enterprisehrblazorpublic/Public/ClassSpec/ClassSpecDetail/0762
New to the State application process? To be considered for this role, you must follow the directions below. We do not accept applications from external platforms.
1. Create a CalCareer account by going to https://calcareers.ca.gov/.
2. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.
3. After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the exam/assessment search tab.
4. Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
If you are more of a visual learner, you have the option of checking out our How to Get a State Job Video Series on YouTube. If you prefer a presentation and interactive approach, you might consider signing up for one of our Career Connects. We host Career Connects via Zoom every 3 to 4 weeks. Candidates participate in a How to Get a State Job presentation geared toward specific pathways; afterwards there is an interactive session in breakout rooms, where candidates can speak with HR representatives to answer any questions they may have.
Please reach out to apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.
At CDPH equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
