Job Posting: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Department of Fish and Wildlife
JC-515778
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: 5/1/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
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Job Description and Duties
Do you love fish and wildlife? Do you have a passion for the environment and restoration? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a motivated individual to work on permitting and environmental review that would protect our great South Coast Region resources. Is that you?
Under the supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the position will be a vital member in implementing our Cutting the Green Tape program. California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Cutting the Green Tape program increases the pace, scale, and quality of habitat restoration and native species recovery projects in California by improving environmental review and permitting efficiencies. The position will develop draft Statutory Exemptions for Restoration Project (SERP) concurrences, prepare Restoration Management Permits (RMP), prepare Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HREA) approval documents, as well as draft other California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorizations. In addition, the position will serve as grant manager for select restoration grants. The work will occur across the entirety of the South Coast Region. With instruction and in accordance with specific standards, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) will work with permitting and compliance of current laws, regulations, California Department of Fish and Wildlife policy, and procedures pertaining to the protection and restoration of biological resources.
In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.
Class Title:Exam Bulletin - Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
This position may be filled in the following counties: Santa Barbara County, Orange County, and San Diego County.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The incumbent will report to one of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Field Offices in either Santa Barbara, Seal Beach, or San Diego. Must be able to attend in person meetings in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. The position requires the use of a computer for several hours each day; the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; and attendance at meetings and workgroups in person with State and Federal agency staff and interested parties or via conference call or video conference. The position may require occasional travel up to 15% of the time throughout the State including early mornings, late nights, hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain, and work in inclement weather. A valid driver's license is required for travel and field site visits in remote or rural areas where alternative transportation will not be feasible. As a condition of employment, the incumbent shall wear an appropriate uniform consistent with California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Operations Manual (Section 12901) for the various work situations, such as field surveys and work with public interaction, within and outside the Region as required by the supervisor. Telework is up to the discretion and approval of the supervisor and will be consistent with current telework policies.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-515778
Position #(s):
565-581-0765-006
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:
United States
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
Special Requirements
This position requires an extensive knowledge of environmental impacts, ecological principles, a high degree of personal initiative, and independent judgment. Performance of specified activities will require an in-depth knowledge of California Department of Fish and Wildlife administrative procedures and policies, applicable permitting and environmental laws including the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Endangered Species Act, Habitat Restoration Enhancement Act, Restoration Management Permit Act, and Fish and Game Code. Public contacts made in the course of this work are highly sensitive and involve a wide variety of stakeholders. Errors in applying or presenting the best available technical information may have significant consequences for the public, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and public trust resources. A high degree of personal initiative is expected, including applying the best available technical information in writing and presentations to provide significant positive consequences for the public, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and trust resources. Public contacts made in the course of this work are highly sensitive and involve a wide variety of special interest groups.
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: 5/1/2026
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.
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
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 Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.
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.
A Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with your State Application. The Supplemental Questionnaire is a discussion of your experience as it relates to this position and must be no more than two pages in length, size 12 point Arial font. Applications received without a completed Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered. Please include your name and the following questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Please provide specific examples that addresses each topic below. Make sure to include who you worked with, and what were your individual contributions to the prompt.
Describe your knowledge of state and federal regulatory programs and/or any experience you have with these programs.
Describe your experience working with government agencies and/or the public.
Describe your experience conducting habitat assessments, fish and wildlife (including plant) surveys, and hydrological assessments or delineations.
Describe your experience working with grants and/or restoration projects.
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:
Special Personal Characteristics: A high degree of personal initiative, and integrity is desired. The incumbent is open to feedback on performance and is able to adapt to changing challenges.
Interpersonal Skills: Communicate politely, tactfully, and firmly as necessary with applicants and other members of the public; demonstrate excellent listening skills and effective negotiation skills; and work effectively in a diverse work environment.
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:
Frederic Rieman
(562) 619-0605
Frederic.Rieman@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 565-581-0765-006 and RPA Number E-R5 WM 25-008 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.
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
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.