Job Posting: Salmon Data Project Scientist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-511715
-
Salmon Data Project Scientist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 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: 3/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor with the Ocean Salmon Project, and for the State and Federal Fisheries Management Program within the Marine Region, the incumbent will collect and perform important analyses of coded-wire tag (CWT) and biological samples collected in California's salmon fisheries. This work will support a number of Department functions, including CWT recovery reporting for the State's Constant Fractional Marking Program and assist in developing a sampling regime for Parentage Based Tagging efforts. The incumbent will also participate in statewide and multi-agency teams collecting and analyzing environmental and fishery data used to protect the State’s salmon populations, support sustainable harvests, and inform hatchery management decisions. To be successful in performing the tasks of the position, the incumbent should have experience or familiarity with fisheries monitoring (preferably of Pacific salmon), data management, tag recovery programs, and fishery assessment programs implemented by state, federal, or municipal agencies.

Locations Considered: Santa Rosa and San Carlos


Link to Environmental Scientist Exam: CalCareers


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Weekend work, early morning and late-night work hours are occasionally required with advance notice. The majority of work will be performed in an office or telework setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Ability to use a computer several hours a day. Must be able to assist with fieldwork often performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or at docks and marinas. Attend meetings and hearings, work with staff statewide to complete work assignments. Six to eight weeks of travel will be required per year (roughly 10-15% of the year); including some weekends. This position is eligible for telework consistent with current state and Department policies.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-511715
Position #(s):
565-772-0762-XXX
Working Title:
Salmon Data Project Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $9,321.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
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

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: 3/26/2026

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:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Other - Supplemental Questionnaire - Responses to the supplemental questions below are required for an application to be complete.

    1. Please describe your experience collecting and analyzing fisheries data. In your response, include information about the purpose for this work and the management questions that were addressed. (limit: 400 words)

    2. What is your favorite fishery management case study, issue, or challenge? Describe the stakeholders and agencies involved, the competing interests, needs and goals, and the strengths and downsides of the eventual management outcome. (limit: 400 words)
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: Exceptional communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quickly. Essential personal qualifications include integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

Interpersonal Skills: Work independently and in a team setting. Participates effectively in interagency collaboration, public speaking, acts in lead capacity for lab and field staff, coordinates with and has effective working relationships with all colleagues and supervisors.

Skills and Abilities: Leadership skills, editorial skills, public speaking, effective meeting skills, and project management skills also desirable. Skill to utilize intermediate and advanced features of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point, Access or other relational database software) in performance of duties. Experience querying data warehouses, experience with R, Azure SQL, and Microsoft Power BI. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to produce and critically review professional documents including scientific reports, public outreach documents, press releases, and peer reviewed literature. Experience in management, research, planning, or consultation in environmental programs, demonstrated environmental management skills, and knowledge of broad principles of economics, social science, and political science. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information obtained through the course of completing assignments; facilitate meetings in a manner that ensures the discussion stays focused on the topic and encourages active participation by all attendees; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, staff, public entities, and interested parties; lead and motivate others in the completion of program and work activities; effectively manage time with multiple assignments and deadlines to ensure timely completion of projects.

Knowledge of: Monitoring and evaluation techniques and principals in fisheries. Pacific salmon or other fisheries management laws, policies, concepts, goals and objectives. State and Federal regulatory processes.

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:
Kelly Shipp
(916) 206-2373
kelly.shipp@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 565-772-0762-111 & 565-772-0762-112 and RPA Number E-R7 MR 25-031 and 032 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.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job