SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER
Sacramento County, CA, USA
USD 9,654-14,305 / month
Job Posting: Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer
Department of Toxic Substances Control
SENIOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER
$9,654.00 - $14,305.00 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: 7/27/2026
Job Description and Duties
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is looking for a dynamic Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer (HSE) to join Site Mitigation and Restoration Program’s (SRMP) Climate Change Unit, which addresses climate vulnerabilities on contaminated site cleanup projects. Working under the direction of the Climate Change Unit Supervising HSE I, this role will provide expert engineering input, review, and guidance for cleanup sites and remediation projects that are subject to climate hazards (e.g., sea level rise, wildfire, flooding). As Senior HSE, you will work on DTSC’s most complex cleanup sites and provide technical support to DTSC project managers and executive staff. Join us today!
As a Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer you will have the opportunity to:
- Provide expert engineering consultative services to DTSC staff on the most complex and controversial sites to ensure technical and regulatory requirements are met
- Independently investigate and evaluate technology screening or selection, feasibility studies, lab or field treatability testing, design/construction of remedial actions, and operation and maintenance of treatment facilities, which include reviewing workplans, reports, or design documents prepared by others and providing written or verbal recommendations on the scope, procedures, equipment, conclusions, and changes or additional work needed
- Assess climate-change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation plans for hazardous waste sites
- Develop assessments and adaptation plans of climate-change impacts on toxic waste sites, where necessary, based on prioritization of climate change risks and potential to affect vulnerable communities
- Oversee the preparation of technical specifications for contracts and assist in contractor selection for various projects
- Provide technical assistance to DTSC staff in planning, coordinating, and implementing cleanup at the most complex/sensitive sites to ensure technical and regulatory requirements are met
- Independently conduct in-depth industry and regulatory research to develop strategies that address specific cleanup practices that may be sensitive to public health and/or the environment
Desirable Qualifications We Look For:
- Valid certification of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers preferred
- Experience in progressively responsible civil engineering work
- Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental site cleanup regulations, laws, policies, and guidance as they relate to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil vapor sites and the design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered remediation and mitigation systems
- Knowledge and experience in the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of remediation systems for the cleanup of contaminated soils, groundwater, soil vapor, and sediment
- Knowledge and experience in design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered landfill systems
- Geographic Information System (GIS) skills
- Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, leading teams, managing group discussions, and integrating multiple different ideas and views to make a recommendation or to facilitate a decision
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.
Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
This position is located at our Cal Center Regional office in Sacramento, CA.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDO) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).
Our Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.
Our Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.
Our Core Values: DTSC 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 California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!
DTSC Recruitment Survey:
Special Requirements
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application, and it serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is a narrative describing how an applicant’s education and experience meet the evaluation criteria below and qualify them for the position. You must include specific examples addressing each of these evaluation criteria. Your SOQ should be no more than three (3) pages, typed, and in 12-point Arial font.
In your SOQ, please explain your qualifications in the following areas:
1. Knowledge and experience with federal and state environmental site cleanup regulations, laws, policies, and guidance as they relate to the investigation and cleanup of contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil vapor sites and the design, construction, operation, and closure of engineered remediation and mitigation systems.
2. Experience in the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of remediation systems for the cleanup of contaminated soils, groundwater, soil vapor, and sediment.
3. Experience presenting information, including technical information, verbally and in writing, to high level decision makers and/or the public.
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: 7/27/2026Who May 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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 required and must be included.
- Statement of Qualifications -
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the "Special Requirements” section above for additional information.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Talent Acquisition
(279) 895-5034
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Jesse Negherbon
(916) 255-6577
Jesse.Negherbon@dtsc.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:EEO Office
(916) 324-3095
OCR@dtsc.ca.gov
Additional Application Instructions
For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.
Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.
For mail-in or drop-off applications, please include JC# 522437 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.
Pending Budget Approval - DTSC will obtain all necessary approvals prior to extending a job offer.
Foreign Degrees
Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degree/ transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.
Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org.
DO NOT include any confidential information in your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).
Examination Information
List eligibility is established through an examination process in which one must apply and successfully pass the examination for the classification. If you have not established list eligibility for the Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer, please click on the link to the examination bulletin for more information
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2542
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.
