Job Posting: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Department of Fish and Wildlife
JC-520254
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 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: 6/12/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
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Job Description and Duties
Would you like to influence water management in California to protect aquatic species and provide ecosystem benefits? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Water Branch - Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) has an opportunity to work in a fast paced environment on some of the State's highest profile water infrastructure projects. The Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Water Branch team in a position that provides the opportunity for rapid professional growth and the development of expertise in: water policy and management, applied fisheries science and management; wetland restoration and enhancement; and environmental regulation, law, and permitting.
This position will work closely with other program scientists to develop novel approaches to ensuring water infrastructure projects under the WSIP provide ecosystem benefits to the State of California. This position will collaborate with other agency scientists, outside experts, stakeholders, and consultants on adaptive management of long-term water operations to ensure ecosystem benefits are achieved. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.
Class Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
This position is posted in the following counties: Yolo and Sacramento County. You only need to apply to one county.
This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least two (2) days per week. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.
Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:
Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The position requires the use of a computer and Microsoft Office software up to eight hours each day, the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attendance at meetings and participation in conference or video calls. The position may require travel (less than 10%) and field work. The position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff.
This position is eligible for hybrid (office/remote) telework consistent with current State and Department policies. Currently, the incumbent is expected to work in the West Sacramento office 2 days per week.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-520254
Position #(s):
565-038-0765-045
Working Title:
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California's diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.
California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.
Join us and begin a meaningful new career!
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
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: 6/12/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
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
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address (PO Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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:
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be no more than one page in length, single spaced, and size 12 point Arial font. Please include name, position number and RPA announcement number in the heading of the SOQ.
Describe your specific interest for applying to this position within the Water Storage Investment Program? What relevant skills and experience can you bring to the position that will help you thrive at Water Branch?
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact. Good organizational skills, leadership, and initiative. Maintain effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, key agency personnel, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to be dependable, flexible, and a problem solver. Experience with California Central Valley fish species and ecosystems within the Bay-Delta watershed.
Knowledge of and/or experience with: fisheries biology, aquatic ecosystems, habitat restoration, environmental laws and regulations, California water management, data analyses, statistical methods, and scientific writing.
Ability to: communicate effectively, work on individual assignments and with a team, manage multiple assignments and deadlines, and work with a variety of stakeholders.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Robert Stanley
(916) 907-3190
Robert.Stanley@wildlife.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:
Civil Rights Office
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Filing Instructions
You must reference Position Number 565-038-0765-045 and RPA Number E-WATER 25-015 in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.
It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov. If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.
Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.
This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.
Resume - Resumes will be reviewed in addition to the STD 678 for employment history. Resumes must include the complete to and from dates (MM/DD/YYYY) and hours worked per week.
All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.
Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
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.