Job Posting: Environmental Scientist

Department of Food & Agriculture

JC-526566
-
Environmental Scientist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/27/2026

Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Under the supervision of the Veterinarian in Charge (VIC, Supervising Veterinarian), the Environmental Scientist (ES) will carry out assignments related to animal health, disease, and movement. The incumbent will apply scientific methods and principles in the identification, research and analysis, and solutions of problems impacting agricultural productivity; analyze situations accurately and make appropriate decisions using sound scientific theories, principles and methods that lead to effective and reliable recommendations related to disease risk and mitigation associated with livestock and poultry. The incumbent must also be able to assist senior scientists with research studies and investigations; prepare and edit papers for publication; develop and/or analyze legislation, regulations, plans, policies, procedures, alternative technologies, practices, criteria, and guidelines; meet and confer with individuals and groups to obtain compliance with laws and regulations concerning California and Federal requirements; provide training; and prepare reports and correspondence.

The incumbent must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and customers, such as academia, industry organizations, advocacy groups and the general public; make appropriate decisions and recommendations; work independently to complete assigned work; work well under pressure; and meet required deadlines. Occasional travel and overtime may be required.

As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.  If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

The Modesto District Office has relocated to a brand-new office building featuring the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory. Free parking is available. It is conveniently located next to the Golden State Highway and Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are performed indoors and outdoors, with outdoor fieldwork comprising more than 50% of the duties. The incumbent may occasionally work under difficult conditions and be exposed to extremes in temperature, high levels of noise, heavy machinery, various odors, dust and mud, as well as hazardous driving conditions.

 

Indoor activities may include:

  • Operating a computer with various software programs, including e-mail and word processing
  • Entering data in a computer database
  • Operating a telephone, facsimile, calculator, and copier
  • Operating various filing drawers and bins
  • Processing paperwork and samples


Travel (including nights, weekends, and holidays) for extended periods may be required for meetings and events as well as during an emergency response. Travel on short notice may be required upon activation for emergency response. During emergency response periods, duties may require working long shifts at hours other than the normal work hours.

 

Due to the emergency response aspect of this position, pre-planning of travel may not be possible. The incumbent is expected to be able to personally operate a vehicle whether personal, rental or government. Additionally, most of the response locations such as farms, premises, and saleyards are not accessible by public transport or rideshare.

 

The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.

 

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-526566
Position #(s):
014-115-0762-002
Working Title:
Environmental Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Stanislaus County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.  

As part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Animal Health and Food Safety Services (AHFSS) Division, the Animal Health Branch (AHB) functions as California’s organized, professional veterinary medical unit to protect public health, animal agriculture, and the economy from catastrophic animal diseases, natural disasters that impact animals, and other related health and agricultural problems. AHB addresses livestock diseases and issues that require statewide coordinated resources; implements programs that protect public health and animal agriculture; and ensures the availability, affordability, and wholesomeness of food.

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/animal_health/


Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below may be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered in lieu of the SOQ. The SOQ instructions and questions are below:

  • Restate Questions prior to response
  • Include your name and job control number
  • Must be no more than two (2) pages, single-spaced, and Arial size 12 font

1. Describe your background and experience with working in agriculture or other animal related industry.

2. Describe your background and experience with enforcing local, state, or federal regulations.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/27/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-526566
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resources Branch JC-526566
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-526566
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678).

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:
Bilingual in Spanish 

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Angelina Mwaniki
(916) 594-4357
Angelina.Mwaniki@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute for a completed state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 may be disqualified.

 

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job