JC-470086 – Air Quality Scientist

Overview

The CDPH Environmental Health Laboratory Branch (EHLB) provides technical expertise and new measurement methods for air quality and biochemical speciation to identify emerging environmental pollutants and promote the health of all Californians. EHLB has a multidisciplinary staff of 30 experts in chemistry, toxicology, aerosol science, ventilation, engineering, and epidemiology. The EHLB Biochemistry Section conducts environmental testing for lead-poisoned children; biomonitoring of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and chemical metabolites; emerging contaminants identification; and intervention studies. The EHLB Air Quality Section provides measurements and technical guidance on indoor air pollutants, including control measures and infectious aerosols; emerging product emissions; community air monitoring; and emergency chemical exposures including wildfire smoke.

This position will conduct laboratory investigations to evaluate airborne chemical risks from aerosols and gas-phase pollutants. These measurements will be used to identify their sources and reduce environmental exposures from wildfires, new products, and other emerging air quality pollutants. The incumbent works under the general direction of the Air Quality Section-Laboratory Unit Supervisor (Research Scientist Supervisor I). The Research Scientist (RS) III directs, plans, and executes highly complex, multidisciplinary research studies on air contaminants and environmental health problems; coordinates with other agencies, gives presentations, and writes scientific publications; develops methods and conducts optical and electron microscopy, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and other chemical analyses such as GC-MS and LC-MS to identify toxic particle and gas sources; conducts community air quality, product emissions, and wildfire smoke studies, and responds to other health related air pollution emergencies; and provides technical support and guidance on air quality issues, as mandated by State Health and Safety Code §425, §105400 et seq., and others.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST III (PHYSICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCES)
Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate’s relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Desirable qualifications for this candidate include the ability to:

Develop methods to identify toxic particle sources using optical and electron microscopy, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and also gas species with GC-MS and LC-MS;
Conduct community air quality, product emissions, and wildfire smoke studies, and respond to other health related air pollution emergencies; and
Provide technical support and guidance on air quality issues.
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.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=470086

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.