SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Job Description and Duties Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can provide critical information that impacts organizational success? Are you interested in building relationships with agencies, elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties to protect the environment and wildlife during emergency response? The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is seeking a successful communicator to serve as the statewide Liaison Officer to support the Department's mission during oil spill responses and serve as the Subject Matter Expert for the Liaison Officer training program. Under the general direction of OSPR's Outreach and Training Unit Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) serves as OSPR's lead Liaison Officer during oil spill responses, ensuring interested parties are kept informed of response activities. The incumbent is responsible for training OSPR's Liaison Officer corps, developing job aids and templates, reviewing task books, and coordinating cross-training with partner agencies and industry. The incumbent will also participate in outreach events to strengthen partnerships and support oil spill prevention and response efforts throughout California. Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR. This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs. In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam. Class Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Statement of Qualifications A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of the candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than 3 pages in length, using Arial size 12 pt. font. Each response must be numbered to correspond with the respective item listed below. Failure to follow these directions may result in disqualification. 1) Describe your experience and training in emergency response, oil spill response, disaster management, and/or the incident command system. Particularly highlight any experience fulfilling responsibilities of a Liaison Officer during an emergency response. 2) Describe your experience engaging with elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and/or agency executive leadership and addressing their concerns. Include experience developing various communication products that synthesize complex information for these groups (e.g. presentations, briefings, fact sheets). 3) Describe your experience implementing an internal training program to evaluate and improve staff proficiency and qualifications while fostering a collaborative-learning environment. 4) This position requires sound judgment under pressure. Describe a situation in which you had to make a high-stakes decision with limited information. What process did you use to evaluate your options, and what was the result?