Job Description: Are you eager to work collaboratively to help manage and preserve California plant and wildlife species? Do you crave working with a variety of teams and topics, including marine and inland fishes and invertebrates, terrestrial and aquatic plants, and game and nongame wildlife? Do you have an interest in environmental policy, law, and enforcement? If so, join us! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Regulations Unit seeks a qualified candidate to coordinate unique teams across CDFW’s programs, who develop and review regulations to manage and conserve fish and wildlife populations, including for harvest and resource protection. This full-time position works in close coordination with CDFW and Fish and Game Commission staff on complex and controversial biological and regulatory issues, and helps develop regulatory change documents for marine, land, water, fish and wildlife issues to meet management, enforcement, and public needs. Examples of the regulations we work on can be found here: https://fgc.ca.gov/Regulations/2025-New-and-Proposed and https://wildlife.ca.gov/Notices/Regulations. Performance of duties will require a comprehensive knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), CDFW and Commission administrative procedures, meeting facilitation, environmental laws, and ecological principles. The incumbent will also need to be familiar with the California Fish and Game Code and Title 14, California Code of Regulations. A very high degree of personal initiative, team coordination, and sound judgement is expected in the development of solutions for complex, controversial rulemakings. This is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) position, and may be extended for up to 24 months, or become permanent. During this 12-month LT assignment, the successful candidate will receive full health, dental, and vision benefits, while earning State Service and monthly leave credits.
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)/Exam Bulletin
This position is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.
If you currently have permanent status in your position and have passed probation, you have mandatory reinstatement rights into your former position at the end of this LT appointment. If you have not had prior permanent or probationary civil service status, you will be separated from state service.
During this 12-month Limited Term assignment, you will receive full health, dental, and vision benefits! You will also earn State Service and accrue monthly leave credits.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Hybrid work schedule for now, though beginning July 1, 2026, it is anticipated the position will be office-centered and employees will be expected to report to the office at least four days per week (Executive Order (EO) 22-25).
Incumbent uses a laptop computer and keyboard at least several hours a day, sitting or standing most of the time, which may involve walking or standing for brief periods to access files, references, and other program materials. Occasional visits to receive or hand delivery of hard copy documents to other agencies may be required, and occasional overnight travel possible. The incumbent facilitates, and attends virtual and in-person meetings and conference calls, as well as internal and external trainings. There may be occasional work at odd or irregular hours to meet project deadlines.
Incentives: Office location overlooks West Sacramento from the new LEED-Platinum Natural Resources Headquarters Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Fitness center, rooftop garden terraces, bicycle parking, and food vendors are included perks – more information can be found at https://thrive.cnra.ca.gov/
