I have been employed full-time at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as a social media manager for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) since September 2022.
Lessons from My Work with CalEPA & DTSC
Communicating environmental protection isn’t about flashy headlines or viral moments — it’s about trust, clarity, and public accountability.
In my role supporting communications for California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), under the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), I work at the intersection of science, policy, and public understanding. The goal is simple, but the execution is complex:
make highly technical, high-stakes information accessible, accurate, and actionable for the people it affects.
Translating Science Into Public Understanding
DTSC’s work touches nearly every Californian — from hazardous waste cleanup and safer consumer products to environmental justice and emergency response. Much of this information is rooted in regulatory language, scientific assessments, and legal frameworks that aren’t designed for public consumption.
My role has focused on helping bridge that gap.
That means:
- Translating complex environmental and regulatory concepts into plain-language messaging
- Supporting content that explains why cleanup actions matter, not just what is happening
- Ensuring communications are science-based, precise, and review-ready, while still human and understandable
This is a very different challenge than consumer marketing — and one I’ve come to deeply respect.
Strategic Storytelling in the Public Sector
Public agencies don’t get to “spin.” Credibility is the currency.
Every message must:
- Be factually defensible
- Respect ongoing regulatory processes
- Acknowledge community concerns and lived experiences
- Align with broader CalEPA goals around transparency and environmental justice
My work has supported storytelling that centers progress, accountability, and public service, rather than promotion. That includes highlighting:
- Cleanup milestones and recovery efforts
- Community engagement and public participation opportunities
- Science-driven decision-making and independent review
This type of communications work requires patience, precision, and emotional intelligence — skills that are often underestimated but absolutely essential in government and mission-driven organizations.
Digital Communications as Public Service
One of the most meaningful parts of my work with DTSC has been seeing how digital communications can function as a public safety and public trust tool.
Social and digital channels aren’t just for awareness — they’re often the fastest way to:
- Share time-sensitive updates
- Direct communities to resources
- Clarify misinformation
- Explain complex processes in real time
Done well, digital communications help people feel informed rather than overwhelmed — and included rather than talked at.
Why This Work Matters to Me
I’ve always been drawn to organizations that serve a larger purpose. Working within CalEPA and DTSC has reinforced my belief that good communications can make public systems more accessible, more transparent, and more human.
It’s also sharpened my approach as a strategist:
effective storytelling isn’t about simplifying the truth — it’s about respecting the audience enough to explain it clearly.