Environmental Specialist Jobs in California
Environmental Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in state and local government agencies, energy and utilities, construction and land development, and environmental consulting firms, with openings from entry-level field technicians through senior program managers. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco, where firms like AECOM, Tetra Tech, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control maintain significant workforces. The most in-demand specialties are hazardous materials management, CEQA compliance, and water quality assessment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Environmental Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 43+ Environmental Specialist jobs











Company Description
Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Position Purpose:
This position provides specialized transportation and disposal services to our clients. Responsibilities include manifesting, packaging, spill clean-up response and remedial activities, labeling, loading, off loading & coordinating transportation, and sampling/profiling material while adhering to state and federal environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Sample and profile waste streams according to prescribed policies and procedures.
- Manifesting, packaging, spill clean-up response and remedial activities, labeling, loading, off loading & coordinating transportation.
- Knowledge of disposal site capabilities and limitations prior to shipment to ensure efficient disbursement and storage.
- Maintain a professional image to clients by answering inquiries and suggesting solutions to existing/potential problems.
- Comply and enforce all compliance, health, safety, and procedures in accordance with VES-TS policies.
- Ensure completion of all paperwork in compliance with U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT)/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and VES-TS policies and procedures.
- Operate and maintain all equipment in a professional manner to ensure optimum efficiency and effectiveness to completion of project(s) in a timely manner.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related science discipline preferred
- Prior work experience in the hazardous waste/related industry required
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Strong team player
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Time management: the ability to organize and manage multiple deadlines
- Strong customer service orientation
- Computer proficiency
- Ability to follow through on assignments.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- 40-hour HAZWOPER Certification
- A valid Drivers License
- Ability to obtain a Class A or B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Hazardous (H) endorsement
- Environmental Specialist II Competency Test
Additional Information
Pay Range: $22 to $28 per hour
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
See All 43 Environmental Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Specialist JobsEnvironmental Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- BKF Engineers4

- Anchor QEA2

- GEI Consultants2

- UC Davis2

- University of the Pacific2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services13
- Education7
- Science & Research5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
- Healthcare & Medical Services3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, geology, or a closely related field
- Familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act review and compliance documentation
- Experience conducting field assessments, soil sampling, or Phase I and Phase II site investigations
- Knowledge of California regulatory agencies including CalEPA, DTSC, and Regional Water Quality Control Boards
- Proficiency with ArcGIS or other geographic information systems used in environmental mapping
- Professional certification such as HAZWOPER 40-hour training or Registered Environmental Assessor preferred
Environmental Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental specialist in California?
Most employers in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, chemistry, or a related field. California does not mandate a single state license for the broad environmental specialist title, but many roles expect credentials such as the Registered Environmental Assessor designation administered through the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, or HAZWOPER certification for hazardous materials work. Strong candidates also build familiarity with CEQA and CalEPA regulatory frameworks before applying.
How much do environmental specialists make in California?
Environmental specialists in California earn a median of about $106,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,350 for the lowest 10% to over $161,910 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire environmental specialists in California?
Employers hiring environmental specialists in California right now include BKF Engineers, Anchor QEA, and GEI Consultants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of consulting firms, utility companies, and state regulatory agencies means the hiring pipeline stays active across both the public and private sectors year-round.
Which California cities have the most environmental specialist jobs?
Irvine, San Francisco, and Davis consistently post the most environmental specialist openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through large infrastructure projects, brownfield redevelopment, and a concentration of major consulting firms, while Sacramento draws hiring from state government agencies like CalEPA and DTSC, and San Francisco benefits from Bay Area tech campus expansions and regional water district work.
Are there remote environmental specialist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. About 21% of environmental specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that a significant portion of the role involves field sampling, site inspections, and regulatory agency visits that cannot be done off-site. Report writing, data analysis, CEQA document preparation, and GIS mapping are the tasks most likely to support remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a environmental specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an environmental technician or field technician role, which California consulting firms and public agencies routinely fill with recent graduates. Large employers like AECOM and Tetra Tech run associate or staff-level programs that pair new hires with senior specialists on active projects. Completing a HAZWOPER 40-hour certification and gaining basic ArcGIS skills before applying gives candidates a clear edge, and internships with Regional Water Quality Control Boards or county environmental health departments provide direct California regulatory exposure.
Where can I find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across consulting firms, government agencies, utilities, and construction companies. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to each employer.
See All 43 Environmental Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Specialist Jobs