Geologist Jobs in California
Geologist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in environmental consulting, oil and gas, mining, geotechnical engineering, and seismic hazard assessment, with openings at every level from field technician and staff geologist through principal and project geologist. The heaviest hiring clusters are in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where firms like Chevron, Parsons Corporation, and the California Department of Conservation regularly bring on geologists. Engineering geology, hydrogeology, and environmental site assessment are the most sought-after specialties given the state's regulatory environment and infrastructure demands. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Posting: Engineering Geologist
Department of Toxic Substances Control
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
$6,488.00 - $12,215.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 11/20/2026
Job Description and Duties
- Review or prepare technical geologic reports and other documents including, but not limited to: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Preliminary Endangerment Assessments, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Assessments, site characterization workplans and reports, sampling and analysis plans, human health and ecological risk assessments; pilot and treatability studies; feasibility studies; remedy selection documents; design, implementation, and completion reports; operation and maintenance plans; five-year reviews; and long-term monitoring reports for compliance with approved plans
- Evaluate geologic, hydrologic, and geochemical data of the surface and subsurface to characterize the occurrence and migration of contaminants
- Review and prepare cross sections, maps, charts, and graphs that illustrate the physical and geochemical setting of contaminated sites
- Evaluate site characterization data to support engineering remedial design and implementation
- Review or perform analyses of soil, groundwater, and soil vapor extraction and treatment system designs and monitoring plans for the investigation and cleanup process
- Perform statistical and trend analysis on data to define the overall effectiveness of remedial treatment technology
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:
Position Details
Department Information
This position is located at our Regional Office in Berkeley, CA.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 11/20/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with environmental site assessment and site cleanup
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements (CERCLA, RCRA) and frameworks
- Experience working with people outside of the organization (members of the public, clients, etc.)
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Practice evaluating data to formulate an understanding of conditions and make decisions
- Experience conducting hydrogeologic studies and independent laboratory or field project
- Coursework in environmental science, chemistry, geology, environmental health, or a related field
- Experience evaluating contaminant fate and transport in soil, soil vapor, and groundwater
- Licensed as a California Professional Geologist preferred
Benefits
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Classification & Recruitment
(916) 323-2679
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Peyton Ward
(510) 540-3798
peyton.ward@dtsc.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Office
(916) 324-3095
OCR@dtsc.ca.gov
Additional Application Instructions
Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.
Foreign Degrees
DO NOT include any confidential information in your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).
Examination Information
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1685
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
See All 69 Geologist Jobs in California
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Find Geologist JobsGeologist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Geologist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in geologist jobs across California.
- Active California Professional Geologist license issued by the California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
- Bachelor's or master's degree in geology, geoscience, or a closely related earth science discipline
- Field experience with soil sampling, borehole logging, or geologic mapping in California terrain
- Familiarity with California environmental regulations including DTSC and Regional Water Board requirements
- Proficiency with GIS software such as ArcGIS and geologic modeling or reporting tools
- Strong technical writing skills for preparation of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments
Geologist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a geologist in California?
To practice as a geologist in California you must obtain a Professional Geologist license from the California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists, which requires a bachelor's degree or higher in geology or a related earth science, documented qualifying experience working under a licensed geologist, and passing the National Association of State Boards of Geology exam. Many California employers will hire geologists-in-training while they accumulate the required experience hours toward licensure.
How much do geologists make in California?
Geologists in California earn a median of about $106,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $45,540 for the lowest 10% to over $171,270 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire geologists in California?
Employers hiring geologists in California right now include Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, WSP, and ROUX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large environmental consulting sector and active state and county agencies mean hiring is distributed across private firms, public utilities, and government bodies throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most geologist jobs?
Irvine, Long Beach, and Oakland have the most geologist openings in California. Los Angeles and the Bay Area anchor demand through large environmental consulting firms, Caltrans and county infrastructure projects, and corporate headquarters, while Sacramento draws significant hiring from state agencies including the California Department of Conservation, the State Water Resources Control Board, and Caltrans district offices.
Are there remote geologist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Geology is primarily a field- and lab-based profession, so most roles require on-site presence for drilling, sampling, mapping, or site assessments. About 77% of geologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be report-writing, data review, or project management positions rather than hands-on field roles.
How can I get hired as a geologist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for staff geologist or geologist-in-training positions at mid-size environmental consulting firms, which are abundant in California and routinely hire recent graduates. Firms such as large engineering consultancies with California offices run structured early-career programs pairing new hires with licensed geologists to accumulate the experience hours needed for California Professional Geologist licensure. A completed internship with a California consulting firm, a strong undergraduate thesis involving fieldwork, or a passing score on the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam all strengthen a new applicant's candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to geologist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to geologist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across environmental consulting, government agencies, energy, and geotechnical firms. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 69 Geologist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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