SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Job Description and Duties Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you! This position plays an important role in the implementation of DPR’s statewide pesticide registration program that is responsible for evaluating the impact of proposed pesticide products on human health and the environment. Working under the general direction of the Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory), the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) performs a range of duties including but not limited to: • Independently researches, analyzes, and develops proposed environmental permitting packages on the Department’s proposed registration decisions, including public reports, consistent with the program’s functional equivalency status under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Evaluates, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes complex scientific data/evaluations of data in the scientific disciplines of toxicology, ecotoxicology, chemistry, environmental fate, microbiology, air, and water supporting the registration or amendment of pesticide products to protect the state’s natural resources and public health, and carries out the goals and objectives of the program. Assesses chemical and non-chemical alternative pest control methods relative to their potential for human health and environmental impacts using federal and state guidelines and scientific standards. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates pest management practices and pesticide use data to support assessments of pest management alternatives and cumulative impacts. • Analyzes and responds to public comments raising significant adverse environmental points on proposed registration decisions. Informs the pesticide manufacturer of the comment, analyzes pesticide manufacturer’s response, and drafts written responses to complex public comments. Ensures responses to all written comments meet CEQA requirements for public postings of the Department’s final registration decisions. • Performs critical and complex pest management analysis, assessment, research, and investigations to determine similarity of new and amended pesticide product formulations and compares intended uses to previously approved pesticide products. Assesses percentage and composition of chemicals, pest organisms (including insects, plants, and microbes), methods of pesticide applications, and application rates on pesticide labels. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements • This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests. • If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position. • Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: • Excellent scientific writing and oral communication skills • Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity • Strong attention to detail • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills • Knowledge of pest management practices and pesticide use • Ability to apply scientific methods and principles • Ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize complex information, scientific data, and environmental reports to reach sound conclusions • Ability to work independently, organize and set priorities on assignments, and meet deadlines • Ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and/or requirements • Knowledge or experience working with diverse cultural communities • Awareness of diverse communities and regional demographics