RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Alameda County, CA, USA
USD 6,942-9,799 / month
Job Posting: Research Scientist
Department of Toxic Substances Control
RESEARCH SCIENTIST
$6,942.00 - $9,799.00 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: 9/15/2026
Job Description and Duties
* This job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
The Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL), Berkeley provides the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) with expertise in method development, quality assurance, data evaluation and analysis of environmental samples. ECL also studies new chemicals of concern and provides DTSC management with analytical information for decision making.
As a Research Scientist you will have the opportunity to:
- Use standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other authoritative methods and laboratory technical system procedures (TSPs) to analyze environmental samples submitted by DTSC core programs and external entities
- Comply with the requirements in the Management System documents such as the Quality System Procedures (QSPs) and other relevant external documents to ensure defensibility of analytical results
- Process the acquired data, quantitates, reviews, and analyzes data
- Prepare analytical and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reports for submission
- Review and evaluate data packages generated by ECL for accuracy, completeness and adherence to quality control and quality assurance criteria
Desirable Qualifications We Look For:
- Research experience working independently on projects
- Experience with mass spectrometry or other analytical techniques
- Experience with standard testing methods to test environmental samples preferred
- Experience working under quality management system
- Experience troubleshooting lab instrumentation
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.
The position is headquartered in Berkeley, CA.
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 DTSC’s Environmental Chemistry Lab in Berkeley, CA.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) 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:
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: 9/15/2026Who 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.
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) 895-5169
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Andrew Pinsonneault
(510) 495-5014
Andrew.Pinsonneault@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# 525782 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 to 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 Research Scientist, please click on the link to the examination bulletin for more information
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4860
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.
