Environmental Scientist

Under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist (incumbent) at Range A (an entry level employee) works under direct supervision performing the least complex scientific work; at Range B (an intermediate level employee) works under general supervision performing moderately complex work; or at Range C (a journey person level employee) works independently performing the most complex work. The Environmental Scientist (ES) will have a variety of responsibilities from scientific, analytical, and administrative duties to implement and enforce the 2018 Senate Bill 212 (Jackson). within the Pharmaceutical & Sharps Enforcement Unit. The incumbent applies the principles of scientific research and analytical skills to perform complex technical tasks and uses statistical knowledge to gather, assess, and review data in order to ensure their compliance with CalRecycle's producer responsibility and product stewardship requirements and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for the determination of violations and their general effects on public health, safety, and the environment for the programs, reviewing findings and preparing the reports for technical adequacy on enforcement matters, and doing other related work to perform the duties listed below. Additionally, the ES will play an important role in developing and implementing new enforcement programs related to products with EPR and product stewardship requirements. 

The Program is responsible for compliance and enforcement related to producer responsibility, product stewardship and seeks to enforce EPR laws governing the regulated communities including but not limited to: Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO), producers/manufacturers of covered products, licensees of trademarks or brands, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and other regulated parties. The incumbent will determine if regulated communities are in compliance by performing field inspections and investigations. On a daily basis, conduct research of businesses, products, and industries to plan inspections and conduct investigations; develop sound conclusions and recommendations for the issuance of timely, concise and complete inspection reports; and compile defensible facts for legal documents. Serve as an EPR compliance program liaison and educate stakeholders verbally and in writing; accurately explain the law and potential enforcement consequences; prepare correspondence; meet regulatory deadlines; and implement established enforcement processes. Work in coordination with CalRecycle’s other supporting technical staff and the Legal Office; evaluate the significance of violations of non-compliant entities and program trends; compile, organize data and use mathematical formulas and develop databases and tools to perform statistical analyses to track compliance trends of the regulated community to evaluate overall program success; recommend corrective actions or penalties and fines to effectively achieve the program(s) mandates to protect public health and safety and the environment. Prepare findings to present and conduct technical trainings to supervisors, technical offices, Executive Management and Stakeholders. This position involves traveling throughout California involving multiple, consecutive days away from the office and overnight stays. The incumbent must have a current California Driver’s License and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice Program.