Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) brings together the state’s recycling and waste management programs to move the state towards a circular economy that reduces waste and reuses all materials. Through landmark initiatives like the Integrated Waste Management Act and Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, California works toward a society that uses less, recycles more, and takes resource conservation to higher and higher levels.

CalRecycle’s Mission: Protecting California’s environment and climate for the health and prosperity of future generations through the reduction, reuse and recycling of California resources, environmental education, disaster recovery and the transition from a disposable to a fully circular economy.

CalRecycle values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect the environment and preserve resources by empowering Californians to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

About the role

Under the general direction of the Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory) (EPM I) of the Jurisdiction and Agency Compliance and Enforcement Branch, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) will oversee a unit within Section One. The unit is responsible for compliance and enforcement related to the Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939), State Agency and Waste Management Act (AB 75), Mandatory Commercial Recycling law (AB 341), Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling law (AB 1826), Short-lived Climate Pollutants law (SB 1383), and solid waste laws and regulations in the Public Resources Code (PRC) and California Code of Regulations (CCR).

The incumbent will provide first line supervision for Environmental Scientist (ES) staff, applying principles of scientific research, physical and environmental sciences, knowledge of statistical methods or analysis, integrated waste management and industry economics, public health, resource management, assessment, review and analysis of technical documents, review and analysis of operations and monitoring records, inspection of businesses, public agencies, solid waste facilities, and public spaces, and enforcement of AB 939, AB 75, AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff’s determination on the significance of violations and their general effect on public health, safety and the environment for the programs.
• Provide oversight, training and mentoring of staff in the determination of compliance with state minimum standards while also providing technical expertise, training and assistance to staff on evaluation and enforcement matters.
• Review findings and reports for technical adequacy.
• Ensure that enforcement information in the Department’s databases has been accurately input by staff.
• Play a key role in the development and implementation of new enforcement programs related to waste diversion laws.
• Prepare and review environmental documents to determine the effects of proposed activities on the environment.
• Develop regulations and enforce environmental and state minimum standards.
• Develop recommendations regarding environmental programs.
• Prepare and edit scientific data to develop environmental policies.
• Review business/facility environmental practices.
• Consult with and advise other agencies and institutions engaged in related regulation and investigations.

Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License (CDL).
• Beginning July 1, 2026, CalRecycle staff will be office-centered, requiring employees to report to the office at least four days per week. This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program needs. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework.

Pay

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00 per month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Schedule

Permanent, Full Time