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.

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Overview

Open roles43+
Top employerBKF Engineers
Top cityIrvine, CA
Cities hiring31
Work type79% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 43+ Environmental Specialist jobs

Veolia
Environmental Specialist II
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Veolia
Added 3w ago
Environmental Specialist II
Veolia
Azusa, California
Specialized Engineering
Compliance & Legal
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Environmental Engineering
Compliance & Risk
$22 - $28/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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BAE Systems USA
Senior Environmental Specialist
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BAE Systems USA
Added 1mo ago
Senior Environmental Specialist
BAE Systems USA
San Diego, California
Environmental & Physical Sciences
$83k - $141k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Veolia
Environmental Driver Specialist
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Veolia
Added 3d ago
Environmental Driver Specialist
Veolia
San Jose, California
Driving
Delivery Drivers
$34.00 - $34.00/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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Univar Solutions
Environmental Field Specialist III
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Univar Solutions
Added 3w ago
Environmental Field Specialist III
Univar Solutions
Carlsbad, California
Environmental & Physical Sciences
On-Site
High School
5,001-10,000

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Abbott
Senior Specialist Environmental Health & Safety
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Abbott
Added 2mo ago
Senior Specialist Environmental Health & Safety
Abbott
Temecula, California
Compliance & Legal
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
Environmental Engineering
$78k - $156k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See All 43 Environmental Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Environmental Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Irvine
4 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs
Davis
2 jobs
Livermore
2 jobs
Rancho Cordova
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
Santa Barbara
2 jobs
Stockton
2 jobs
Temecula
2 jobs

Environmental Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • BKF Engineers
    BKF Engineers4
  • Anchor QEA
    Anchor QEA2
  • GEI Consultants
    GEI Consultants2
  • UC Davis
    UC Davis2
  • University of the Pacific
    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