| Location | Modesto, CA |
| Salary | $4,418–$9,321 |
Job Posting: Environmental Scientist
Department of Food & Agriculture
JC-527269
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: Until Filled
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
Save Job
Job Description and Duties
Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.
This Job Control is listed Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:
8/31/2026, 9/30/2026, 10/31/2026, 11/30/2026, 12/31/2026, 1/31/2027
Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist will conduct environmental health inspections on dairy farms and at milk processing and PRMP plants, gather scientific data, research and investigate food safety hazards, collect samples for regulatory surveillance, test pasteurization equipment for proper operation and food safety controls, and provide analytical expertise and reports on specific food safety parameters on dairy farms, milk processing plants, bulk milk haulers and other dairy food and PRMP facilities, including those associated with possible illegal sales of substandard dairy products to California consumers.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The duties of this job are performed outdoors approximately 75% of the time. The incumbent reports to the Regional Office (830 Dianne Drive, Suite B, Turlock, CA 95380) only to pick up supplies, attend meetings and turn in required documents. Most of the workday will be spent traveling in a state vehicle to various locations throughout the region.
When working outdoors the incumbent may be exposed to extremes in temperature, fumes and gases. The noise level in equipment rooms may be high.
The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies, including but not limited to the Respiratory Protection Program.
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-527269
Position #(s):
014-165-0762-008
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.
The Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch (MDFS) is responsible for ensuring that milk, dairy products, and products resembling milk products (PRMPs) are safe, unadulterated, and properly labeled to safeguard public health. The Branch inspects dairy farms, bulk milk tanker trucks, and milk processing plants; issues permits and licenses to dairy farms and processing facilities; collects samples for regulatory testing to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards; reviews product labels for conformance with regulations to avoid misleading information for consumers; completes in-depth reviews and food safety assessments of complex equipment or novel processing methods, and evaluates and licenses technical food safety competencies of dairy industry workers. The Branch also responds to food safety incidents, and initiates product impounds and recalls as warranted. Branch personnel provide training and supervision for county Approved Milk Inspection Services and conduct ratings and inspections of farms, processors, and manufacturers of single-service dairy containers for compliance with requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure approval of California dairy products in interstate commerce. In addition, the Branch ensures that commercial laboratory testing used to determine the basis of payment for milk or for screening of milk for drug residues prior to processing is conducted according to required methods to protect consumers and the marketplace.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Milk_and_Dairy_Food_Safety/
Special Requirements
Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
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-527269
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
Human Resources Branch JC-527269
1220 N Street, Room 242
Sacramento, CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-527269
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:
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.
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:
Ong Lao
(916) 530-0045
ong.lao@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.
Required Qualifications
The Registered Dairy Inspector Certificate is required by State law for people conducting regulatory inspections of dairy farms and milk processing plants and must be obtained prior to placement.
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.