HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER
Full-time
Orange County, CA, USA
USD 6,488-12,152 / month
Job Posting: Hazardous Substances Engineer
Department of Toxic Substances Control
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ENGINEER
$6,488.00 - $12,152.00 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: 11/20/2026
Job Description and Duties
The Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Engineering & Special Projects Office is seeking a motivated professional to lead high-impact environmental projects and special programs, including programmatic support and coordination of the Defense and State Memorandum of Agreement (DSMOA) program. This role manages complex initiatives, collaborates with federal and state partners, and helps DTSC’s mission to protect California’s communities and environment through effective project delivery and regulatory coordination.
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As a Hazardous Substances Engineer you will have the opportunity to:
- Manages the State’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the Defense and State Memorandum of Agreement (DSMOA) regarding environmental cleanups at military and defense sites.
- Provides direct communication, coordination and cooperation between California and DoD components. Acts as the primary liaison between state environmental agencies, DoD components, the U.S. EPA, and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) coordinators.
- Prepares, applies for, and manages the state’s biennial DSMOA Cooperative Agreement to secure and track federal funding for state regulatory oversight.’
- Works with project managers and other staff to track environmental restoration progress, review site budgets, and ensure proper expenditure of reimbursed funds. Represents California interests at DSMOA meetings, regional forums, and DoD work groups.
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. As of July 1st, 2026, the position is office-centered, and employees will be expected 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 telework policy and/or future program needs. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the positions designated headquarter location, as reflected on the duty statement and at their own expense.
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 Regional office in Cypress, 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:
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: 11/20/2026Who 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.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience managing complex projects, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams;
- Experience conducting or overseeing hazardous substance investigations and remedial cleanup activities;
- Experience working on Defense State Memorandum of Agreement (DSMOA) projects or similar federally funded environmental programs;
- Experience developing, managing, and tracking project budgets and financial documentation;
- Contract Management Experience;
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills; and
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
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.
Classification & Recruitment
(279) 895-5034
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Travis Coburn
(657) 777-9836
Travis.Coburn@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# 538371 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 Hazardous Substances Engineer, please click on the link to the examination bulletin for more information:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1732
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.
