Scientist

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we’d love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Scientist.

Under direction, serves as subject matter expert and demonstrates advanced-level technical expertise in several cross-functional scientific areas; serves as a project or team leader; directs daily technical activities of lower-level staff; participates in developing and planning scientific research projects and special studies and ensures the quality and performance of those projects and studies; regularly communicates with senior management at OC San and higher-level officials of regulatory and other external agencies; recommends new or revised policies to management; and performs duties as assigned.

The Scientist will serve as a technical lead in the Analytical Chemistry Group in support of OC San special projects and routine monitoring efforts. The Scientist will have a strong understanding of the laboratory methods and QA/QC elements related to analytical methodology for various matrices including water, wastewater, sediment, fish tissue, and gas. The Scientist will report directly to the Analytical Chemistry Group Environmental Supervisor.

  

 The candidate selected for this position:

• Participates in developing and planning assigned programs, special projects, and research studies; assists in developing appropriate study objectives, methodologies, budget, project timeline, and quality assurance/quality control plans; participates in field and office activities to ensure study objectives and compliance activities are met.
• Directs projects independently with regular review by management; oversees, schedules, and reviews the activities of staff and contractors hired to assist with research activities; implements procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental protection, monitoring, and compliance programs; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to assigned supervisor; assists in the preparation of performance reviews; coordinates project activities with other groups internal and external to OC San in accomplishing project goals and objectives.
• Performs research in support of OC San analysis and monitoring efforts; conducts literature searches on project related topics; validates analytical procedures; analyzes, evaluates, and interprets collected data.
• Writes technical procedures and validates analytical procedures; prepares technical papers and reports; provides quality control review of applicable compliance reports; prepares and makes presentations to management, staff, the public, and professional groups. Provides quality control review of applicable compliance reports.
• Participates in related working groups and committees within OC San, with regulatory agencies, and with outside organizations; maintains current knowledge and understanding of scientific advances in assigned area.
• Performs the most highly complex and specialized studies, tests, analyses, and research activities within the assigned functional area(s); participates in optimizing the assigned function’s/division’s methods, processes, and/or operating policies and procedures.
• Provides leadership and guidance to others on assigned programs and/or projects. As a program and/or project leader, may direct, assign, train, monitor and review the work activities of team members; determines work priorities; oversees quality and quantity of work performed and ensures adherence to established procedures by instructing employees accordingly; is a resource to employees by possessing specialized skills; develops and implements work improvements.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in a science, or a related field.

2. Five (5) years of work experience in scientific research projects or environmental compliance with project management responsibilities.

3. Valid California Class C Driver’s License.

Desired:

An advanced degree such as a Master’s Degree or PhD is desirable.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies) 

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/jobs

  

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Monday, May 18th, 2026; 5:00 PM PST

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

 

Hiring Salary Range: $135,678.40 – $149,572.80 /Annually

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a laboratory and standard office setting and use laboratory and standard office equipment, including a computer; standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Mobility to work in the field at various OC San sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary access points; ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings.
• When assigned to work on OC San’s marine vessel, must be capable of working in wet, unstable conditions, at times while the vessel is under way to the next sampling location.
• Perform light to medium physical work; standing in work areas and walking between work areas, within treatment plants, and in the field and to conduct assigned work.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 51 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Vision to inspect and operate equipment.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate laboratory and standard office equipment.
• Finger dexterity to operate and repair tools and equipment.

Environmental Elements

•  Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

Other Requirments

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s preemployment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

Disaster Service Workers

All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other Information

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.

 

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.
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Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.