Job Posting: Research Data Specialist I

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-521278
-
Research Data Specialist I
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I

$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 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: 6/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

We are seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Geographic Information System analyst within the Fisheries Branch. This position is responsible for operational and data support, coordination and collaboration internally and with partners, data management related to inland and anadromous fisheries. The position is responsible for complex data collection, cataloguing and storage, database maintenance, spatial analysis and map creation, and creation of data visualization tools. The position will work closely with interagency work teams and other GIS professionals engaged in advanced GIS methods and analyses, as well as coordinate with other GIS professionals, state and federal agency staff counterparts.

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.

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.

Research Data Specialist I: Exam Bulletin Link

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

Working Conditions

This position will be headquartered in the Fisheries Branch office, West Sacramento. The position offers the possibility of a hybrid telework agreement based on the Department's current Telework Policy. The position will be required to commute to the headquarters location per the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule. The duties of this position are primarily conducted indoors in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. The position involves sitting most of the time but may require walking or standing, requires use a computer, mouse, keyboard, and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. The position may entail some occasional field work or visiting other Department offices. Field work will require a uniform. Occasional travel up to 10% is required via private or public transportation.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-521278
Position #(s):
565-037-5742-006
Working Title:
Research Data Specialist I
Classification:
RESEARCH DATA SPECIALIST I
$6,955.00 - $8,706.00 A
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:
Yolo 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

Special Requirements

Ability to provide quality control, evaluate situations accurately, take effective action, and learn and apply knowledge of policies or procedures. Ability to prioritize workload and adapt to organizational change. Strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration are required for this position. Open-mindedness to new processes and procedures, ability to receive and implement feedback, and tact in providing recommendations necessary to achieve shared goals and objectives. Ability to work independently on complex assignments, adapt to changes in priorities, and work assignments. Effectively manage and prioritize multiple work assignments with deadlines to ensure timely completion of projects.

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: 6/26/2026

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
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
Please Note: Drop-off location may be non-operational on weekends and holidays.
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.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    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.

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:
  • Experience with complex GIS systems, methodologies, and best practices related to data tools and systems. 
  • Experience managing complex spatial databases. Experience with coding languages including R and structured query language (SQL). 
  • Familiarity with inland and anadromous fisheries data-types created or published across government and private entities. 
  • Familiarity with California’s fisheries resources and best management practices.

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:
Carie Battistone
(916) 216-1608
Carie.Battistone@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 565-037-5742-006 and RPA Number E-BDB 25-006 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.

Statement of Qualifications

The Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is a narrative that serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Responses must be no more than three (3) pages in length, size 12-point Arial font and address the following questions. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation will also be factors in evaluating the SOQ.

1. Describe your experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) to support research or resource management. Include software used, types of spatial data you worked with, analyses you performed, and any outcomes or decisions supported by your work.

2. Describe a project where you worked with scientists, biologists or other non-GIS staff, or had to communicate complex GIS methods or results to non-technical staff. Include your role in the project, how you used your GIS skills to support the project, types of deliverables, strategies for communication, and any challenges you faced in the project and how you addressed them.

3. Give an example of a challenging data or GIS problem you have encountered. Include a brief description of the issue, steps you took to investigate and resolve the issue, and a summary of the outcome and how your efforts assisted.

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
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