City of San Diego, CA
Environmental Scientist III
City of San Diego, CA, San Diego, California, United States, 92189
Salary :
$102,523.20 - $124,113.60 Annually Location :
City of San Diego, CA Job Type:
Varies by Position Job Number:
SI-T11908-202509 Business Area:
2000 - Public Utilities Opening Date:
09/26/2025 Closing Date:
10/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION Environmental Scientist III positions supervise the work of professional and technical staff performing chemical, physical, bacteriological, microbiological, biological, and/or molecular. bioaccumulation and toxicological monitoring, analysis and reporting for regulatory compliance, and special studies; oversee staff analyses for source water, drinking (potable) water domestics, and industrial wastewater, biosolids, recycled water, purified water, stormwater, ocean water, ocean sediments, and additional marine, and freshwater environments; assess compliance with regulations and permit requirements; review plant, animal species identifications, and perform other duties as assigned.
Environmental Scientist III positions at the City of San Diego include areas of specialty in: Marine biology & ocean operations General and analytical chemistry Reservoir, freshwater biology and limnology Microbiology and toxicology Regulatory permits and compliance Quality systems and quality control NOTES:
Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS). Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to lift heavy equipment weighing up to 50 pounds (e.g., lifting manhole lids, ice chests in and out of boats). Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work with sewage, sludge, industrial and hazardous wastes, and chemicals. Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work overtime or be on stand-by stand on weekends, holidays. Some Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work in the field including rough terrain, shorelines, and on boats in lakes, and in the ocean. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated. EDUCATION: A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science.
NOTE:
Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units. EXPERIENCE: Two years of full-time professional-level experience in a scientific field to include at least one of the following: laboratory work, regulatory compliance assessments, quality control, or field work.
NOTES:
Qualifying laboratory experience must be obtained in a laboratory accredited by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Qualifying experience must include either laboratory or field experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or toxicology performing bacteriology, biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, virology, or closely related analyses and interpretations, or experience working in a regulatory and/or permitting environment. A Master's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience. City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered. LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):
Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements. For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 1 - September 26, 2025 (New Recruitment Date) City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
or review the 01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.
Yes No
02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?
Current city employee Former city employee Current & former city employee None of the above
03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR. 04
The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?
Yes No
05
Specify which ONE of the following options you are using to meet the education requirement. NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts to your application.
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science Master's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science None of the above
06
If you are using a combination of experience and education to qualify, which of the following best describes your level of education? NOTE: Attach transcripts to your application.
0 to 29 semester/44 quarter units 30 semester/45 quarter units to 59 semester/89 quarter units 60 semester/90 quarter units to 89 semester/134 quarter units 90 semester/135 quarter units to 119 semester/179 quarter units 120 semester/180 quarter units or more
07
Specify the total number of years of full-time professional-level experience in a scientific field to include at least one of the following: laboratory work, field work, regulatory compliance assessments, or quality systems/control.
None Less than 1 year 1 year to less than 2 years 2 years to less than 3 years 3 years to less than 4 years 4 years to less than 5 years 5 years to less than 6 years 6 years or more
08
In which of the following areas do you have full-time professional level experience?
Laboratory work Field work Regulatory compliance assessments Quality systems/control None of the above
09
Describe your full-time professional-level laboratory work experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 10
Describe your full-time professional-level field work experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 11
Describe your full-time professional-level regulatory compliance assessment experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 12
Describe your full-time professional-level quality systems/control experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 13
Specify the specialty area to which you feel your education and experience are applicable.
Air and water quality regulatory compliance assessments Aquatic toxicology Bacteriology, virology, or microbiology Chemistry Data management, quality assurance/quality control, and reporting Freshwater biology and limnology Marine biology and ocean operations Molecular biology Watershed or sewershed science None of the above
14
Describe your experience working on ocean-going vessels and performing field work using oceanographic sampling equipment (e.g. seawater and sediment sampling equipment, water column profiling instruments, fishing sampling equipment). Describe any experience you may have calibrating and/or maintaining the equipment for each example given. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 15
Describe any experience with deploying, assembling, and troubleshooting of marine moorings/buoys or similar complex equipment. Describe any experience you may have with electrical and/or mechanical design and assembly of the equipment for each example given. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 16
Which of the following specialty areas do you possess?
ArcPro GIS skills Air quality regulations Audits Bioanalytical cell screening assay experience Compliance Tracking Customer Service Experience ddPCR DIC Microscopy HTML Moored instruments and systems Permitting R/R Studio Skills Sampling on ocean vessels Small boat driving/trailering/maintenance SQL Stormwater regulations Taxonomic Identification of aquatic organism Troubleshooting equipment problems/scientific instrument problems TNI Requirements VBA Programming Writing (defined as being a primary author on peer reviewed publications) Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Python, PERL, C++ Programming MATLAB Skills None of the above
Required Question
$102,523.20 - $124,113.60 Annually Location :
City of San Diego, CA Job Type:
Varies by Position Job Number:
SI-T11908-202509 Business Area:
2000 - Public Utilities Opening Date:
09/26/2025 Closing Date:
10/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION Environmental Scientist III positions supervise the work of professional and technical staff performing chemical, physical, bacteriological, microbiological, biological, and/or molecular. bioaccumulation and toxicological monitoring, analysis and reporting for regulatory compliance, and special studies; oversee staff analyses for source water, drinking (potable) water domestics, and industrial wastewater, biosolids, recycled water, purified water, stormwater, ocean water, ocean sediments, and additional marine, and freshwater environments; assess compliance with regulations and permit requirements; review plant, animal species identifications, and perform other duties as assigned.
Environmental Scientist III positions at the City of San Diego include areas of specialty in: Marine biology & ocean operations General and analytical chemistry Reservoir, freshwater biology and limnology Microbiology and toxicology Regulatory permits and compliance Quality systems and quality control NOTES:
Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS). Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to lift heavy equipment weighing up to 50 pounds (e.g., lifting manhole lids, ice chests in and out of boats). Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work with sewage, sludge, industrial and hazardous wastes, and chemicals. Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work overtime or be on stand-by stand on weekends, holidays. Some Environmental Scientist III employees may be required to work in the field including rough terrain, shorelines, and on boats in lakes, and in the ocean. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated. EDUCATION: A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science.
NOTE:
Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for education lacked on a year-for-year basis. One year of full-time experience = 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units. EXPERIENCE: Two years of full-time professional-level experience in a scientific field to include at least one of the following: laboratory work, regulatory compliance assessments, quality control, or field work.
NOTES:
Qualifying laboratory experience must be obtained in a laboratory accredited by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Qualifying experience must include either laboratory or field experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or toxicology performing bacteriology, biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, virology, or closely related analyses and interpretations, or experience working in a regulatory and/or permitting environment. A Master's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience. City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered. LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):
Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements. For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 1 - September 26, 2025 (New Recruitment Date) City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
or review the 01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.
Yes No
02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?
Current city employee Former city employee Current & former city employee None of the above
03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR. 04
The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?
Yes No
05
Specify which ONE of the following options you are using to meet the education requirement. NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts to your application.
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science Master's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oceanography, Zoology, Ocean Engineering, or a closely related biological, chemical, or physical science None of the above
06
If you are using a combination of experience and education to qualify, which of the following best describes your level of education? NOTE: Attach transcripts to your application.
0 to 29 semester/44 quarter units 30 semester/45 quarter units to 59 semester/89 quarter units 60 semester/90 quarter units to 89 semester/134 quarter units 90 semester/135 quarter units to 119 semester/179 quarter units 120 semester/180 quarter units or more
07
Specify the total number of years of full-time professional-level experience in a scientific field to include at least one of the following: laboratory work, field work, regulatory compliance assessments, or quality systems/control.
None Less than 1 year 1 year to less than 2 years 2 years to less than 3 years 3 years to less than 4 years 4 years to less than 5 years 5 years to less than 6 years 6 years or more
08
In which of the following areas do you have full-time professional level experience?
Laboratory work Field work Regulatory compliance assessments Quality systems/control None of the above
09
Describe your full-time professional-level laboratory work experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 10
Describe your full-time professional-level field work experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 11
Describe your full-time professional-level regulatory compliance assessment experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 12
Describe your full-time professional-level quality systems/control experience in biology, chemistry, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, toxicology, bacteriology, virology, or a closely related scientific field. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 13
Specify the specialty area to which you feel your education and experience are applicable.
Air and water quality regulatory compliance assessments Aquatic toxicology Bacteriology, virology, or microbiology Chemistry Data management, quality assurance/quality control, and reporting Freshwater biology and limnology Marine biology and ocean operations Molecular biology Watershed or sewershed science None of the above
14
Describe your experience working on ocean-going vessels and performing field work using oceanographic sampling equipment (e.g. seawater and sediment sampling equipment, water column profiling instruments, fishing sampling equipment). Describe any experience you may have calibrating and/or maintaining the equipment for each example given. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 15
Describe any experience with deploying, assembling, and troubleshooting of marine moorings/buoys or similar complex equipment. Describe any experience you may have with electrical and/or mechanical design and assembly of the equipment for each example given. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None." 16
Which of the following specialty areas do you possess?
ArcPro GIS skills Air quality regulations Audits Bioanalytical cell screening assay experience Compliance Tracking Customer Service Experience ddPCR DIC Microscopy HTML Moored instruments and systems Permitting R/R Studio Skills Sampling on ocean vessels Small boat driving/trailering/maintenance SQL Stormwater regulations Taxonomic Identification of aquatic organism Troubleshooting equipment problems/scientific instrument problems TNI Requirements VBA Programming Writing (defined as being a primary author on peer reviewed publications) Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Python, PERL, C++ Programming MATLAB Skills None of the above
Required Question