environmental scientist - Shasta County, United States - Department of Transportation

Description

Job Description and Duties

Under the direct supervision of the District Local Assistance Engineer, and general direction of a Senior Environmental Planner (Environmental Lead) as part of the District 2 Local Assistance team, incumbent is responsible for assisting local government agencies in obtaining environmental compliance and approval to proceed with proposed transportation projects located within the seven counties in District 2. Incumbent will work daily with the District 2 Local Assistance staff, Federal environmental regulatory agencies, and local agency staff, including agency consultants. Incumbent will work to advance local assistance projects through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) studies and on to construction through project completion, resolve problems, and act on environmental issues pertaining to local projects. Incumbent will analyze and interpret Federal and State statutes, policies and programs that involve federal-aid environmental clearance, including, but not limited to, Chapter 6 of the Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM), and the Standard Environmental Reference (SER). Incumbent will review and evaluate natural science studies in connection with assisting local government agencies in obtaining environmental compliance and approval to proceed with proposed transportation projects. In working with Local Agencies, the work will require Environmental Documents to be written per Caltrans procedures, circulated for review, and finalized by the local agency or their consultant, before being transmitted to Caltrans (as the Federal lead agency) for approval. Incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and approving biological studies and reports and engaging in Section 7 consultation with Federal regulatory agencies under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Incumbent will consider the impacts of the transportation projects and make recommendations to the project development team, including the Local Agency, regarding the appropriate courses of action in compliance with the NEPA and a multitude of other state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Incumbent will work in a team environment to deliver the Local Assistance Program and provide quality service to local agencies as well as District staff.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Position is located at Redding, Shasta County.

The incumbent will work in a climate-controlled environment in a cubicle-based office setting; in a home office as part of an approved telework agreement between the incumbent and the employer; and in the field in locations ranging from office buildings to locations on/or adjacent to the State Highway and local road system. These situations may expose the incumbent to potentially unsafe situations, and the incumbent will be required to take mandated trainings and adhere to safe work and field practices. The incumbent may be exposed to extreme weather conditions during field reviews.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans's evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee's designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page
Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. ​ State Civil Service Act

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Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.

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​ Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

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401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

​ California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits ​Specific Benefits ​Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and/or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and/or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and/or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

​ ​ Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

​ ​ Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

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​ Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

​ ​Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

​ Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and/or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

​Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

​ Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

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(866) EAP-4SOC

TDD

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance
Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

TDD

​Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

​ Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

​ ​Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

​ ​ Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

​ ​ Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

​ ​Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.

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