Overview
Physical science is a broad field that studies non-living systems. Physical scientists conduct research to ensure Californians and the environments they live in remain healthy. These roles focus on creating experiments to enforce regulations, using data to inform legislation and finding innovative solutions to improve the lives of Californians.
What You Might Work On
In California state government, professionals in this field often:
- Conduct highly specialized scientific research and analyze data
- Develop procedures, regulations and guidelines to protect the public and environmental health
- Work in laboratory or field settings, collaborating with federal, state and local partners
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Enjoy using scientific evidence to support compliance with regulations
- Like creating experiments or research projects to answer questions
- Want to work with programs that have broad health implications
- Like to translate technical information to the public
Job Classifications
What are job classifications?
Job classifications map to specific job titles found across California state government. A corresponding code maps to the required exam for that classification. For example, the code for a Research Scientist is 00105582.
How to use them:
You can use the job classifications to search for positions on CalCareers in the classification section within the advanced search filter. You can also use key words to find roles in the search bar on the home page. Below is a list of common examples, but additional roles and classifications can be found on CalCareers.
| Exam Code | Classification Name | Common Keywords | What You’ll Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00105582 | Research Scientist | Research Scientist | This is an entry-level position used for many scientific fields including physical science, mathematics and engineering. This role will plan, organize and carry out scientific research studies and may serve as a team member on projects and investigations or act as a technical scientific consultant. This role will analyze and draw conclusions from research studies relevant to public and/or environmental health. |
| 00103872 | Air Resources Technician | Air Resources Technician; Technician | This entry-level position will gather, tabulate and analyze a variety of air resources and vehicle emissions data and compare this information to local, state and federal air quality regulations. In this role you may assist in preparing summaries of regulations, field investigations of air pollution emission sources, inspection of assembly line procedures and prepare segments of reports and correspondence. |
| 00108060 | Chemist | Chemist; | This entry-level role will conduct work within a laboratory, office, or field setting where you may perform chemical, physical or biological analyses. You may also draft preliminary reports, answer questions from the public, perform quality control and serve as a technical witness. |
| 00103529 | Hazardous Materials Specialist | Hazardous Materials Specialist | This entry-level role will develop procedures and guidelines for hazardous materials handling, assessment of hazardous material sites, regulation of hazardous material generators and transporters, evaluation of less complex permit applications and regulatory inspections of simple storage, generation and treatment facilities. |
| 00103781 | Junior Health Physicist | Junior Health Physicist; Health Physicist; Physicist | This entry-level position assists with the preparation, planning, design and handling of inspections of radiation machine users and enforces radiation control laws and regulations. In this role you will communicate with stakeholders to ensure enforcement and compliance with regulations, provide consultation and assistance to physicians, dentists and industrial, laboratories and other professional and technical personnel. You will work with local health departments and other government agencies. |
| 00107877 | Laboratory Technician (Chemical analysis) | Laboratory Technician | This entry-level role makes routine qualitative and quantitative chemical and biochemical analyses of water, sewage, soil, stream sediments, rocks, minerals, cement, textiles, fillers, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, meat and dairy products, fish and wildlife and other materials by standardized and predetermined methods. In this role you may prepare samples and solutions, conduct tests on materials, prepare laboratory apparatuses and record data. |
Where You Could Work
State government is broad — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area, or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Environmental Protection: California Air Resources Board
- Habitat Management: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Policy and Planning: California Energy Commission
- Public Health: California Department of Public Health
Example of California Agencies with Physical Science
Did you know you could have a physical science career at one of these agencies? Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the options in California state government, but a helpful starting place as you begin exploring your future physical science career!
| Agency Name |
|---|
| California Air Resources Board |
| California Department of Conservation |
| California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation |
| California Department of Fish and Wildlife |
| California Department of Public Health |
| California Energy Commission |
| California Environmental Protection Agency |
| California Water Resources Control Board |
Sample Positions
Associate HazMat Specialist [00103529]
| Employer / agency | California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Los Angeles County |
| Mission context | The Fire & Safety division works with the discovery, regulation and remediation of hazardous materials, and development of scientific methodologies for environmental and chemical assessments, resource recovery, waste reduction and other alternatives to land and water disposal of hazardous materials. |
In this role, you may:
- Conduct inspections of hazardous material storage and use and handling sites in and on institutional buildings to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
- Prepare inspection logs and assist the fire captain in field activities
- Maintain data on inventory on hazardous materials, prepare reports for control agencies, respond to hazardous material spills and prepare action plans to mitigate the effects of contamination
Clinical Chemistry Scientist [00105582]
| Employer / agency | California Department of Public Health |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Contra Costa County |
| Mission context | The mission of the Department of Public Health is to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. |
In this role, you may:
- Assist with the review, development and implementation of protocols and procedures to align laboratory operations with the guidelines and mandates set forth by regulatory agencies and organizations
- Collaborate with senior scientists in clinical analysis of mass spectrometry analysis of other newborn genetic disorders as needed
- Assist in clinical research studies using tandem mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques and instrumentation
Enforcement Air Resources Technician [00103872]
| Employer / agency | California Air Resources Board |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Riverside County |
| Mission context | CARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards. |
In this role, you may:
- Gather, tabulate and analyze inspection and vehicle emissions data, and conduct data quality assurance and system testing
- Assist with the streamlined enforcement process and tracking enforcement actions such as entering data into databases and other platforms
