Job Posting: Environmental Scientist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-521940
-
Environmental 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: 7/7/2026

Job Description and Duties

A dynamic opportunity to partner with multiple agencies to manage and protect native fish and wildlife in the San Francisco Estuary. This position will work closely with State and Federal agencies involved with the Tracy Fish Collection Facility and the Skinner Delta Fish Protection Facility. These facilities collect and identify fish and environmental data in real-time, building onto a long-term data set known as the Fish Salvage Dataset (https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Delta/Salvage-Monitoring). Reporting of this real-time operation and management of the Salvage database helps State and Federal programs adaptively manage resources from the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. This position will manage datasets, provide quality assurance, communicate with multi-agency teams and help to answer management-relevant questions about impacts to the ecosystem. In addition, the incumbent will have opportunities to assist, as needed, with other monitoring studies conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This position accommodates both new and experienced scientists looking to build on their scientific background, become familiar with California water policy, and work closely with California's natural resources.

Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist/Exam Bulletin  

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.

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

Working Conditions

Routinely work long and non-standard hours or schedules seasonally. Routinely conduct site visits to the SDFPF, which may include nights and weekends and occasional visits to the TFCF. Site visits and fieldwork sometimes require working long and non-standard hours or schedules. Field work requires standing and walking on uneven, moving, steep, and slippery surfaces. Must be comfortable wearing a floatation device for upwards of 8 hours per day. Field work also requires significant driving time to facilities. Office work involves sitting at a desk with computer keyboard or desk work several hours per day and may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Work requires handling formalin or ethanol in properly-ventilated situations, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be prepared to operate a state vehicle. In the event of an emergency, may need to operate a small, motorized vessel. Wearing a Department of Fish and Wildlife uniform is required as a condition of employment while conducting field work and public work duties.

This position is located at the Bay Delta Region field office in Stockton, California. This position offers the possibility of a telework agreement based on the Department's current Telework Policy.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-521940
Position #(s):
565-323-0762-019
Working Title:
Environmental Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
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:
San Joaquin 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

Laboratory work requires handling formalin or ethanol in properly-ventilated situations, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds. Must possess a valid diver's license and be able to operate a state vehicle. In the event of an emergency, may need to operate a small, motorized vessel. Wearing a Department of Fish and Wildlife uniform is required as a condition of employment while conducting field work and public work duties.

Efficiently and effectively read, write, and speak English; provide and accept feedback, act in the capacity of a lead; collaborate with team members; engage stakeholders; organize, prioritize, and delegate tasks; and shift rapidly from task to task as priorities dictate. Efficiently and accurately use a personal computer and software including but not limited to Access, Excel, R, PowerPoint, Word, EndNote, and Outlook; collect and store ecological data, manipulate and summarize that data, then analyze, synthesize and report the resulting information in written and oral forms; identify key invertebrates as well as juvenile and adult marine, freshwater, and estuarine fishes.

Able to act independently and with tact; maintain open-mindedness and flexibility; and show good judgment when encountering unexpected situations. Possesses strong organizational skills and is quality performance-oriented; has good written and oral communications skills; and adheres to written safety and sampling procedures and protocols. Comfortable working around water, and possesses the ability to swim.
Works well with others and can work independently and effectively in a team setting especially during field work and at meetings. Responds favorably to feedback and able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities within and outside of the department.

The selected candidate may be required to provide transcripts (may be unofficial).

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: 7/7/2026

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:

  • 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:
Knowledge of: Basic principles of marine, freshwater, and estuarine ecology; fisheries biology and management; zooplankton biology and ecology; common fisheries and plankton sampling methods; database management; statistical analyses; technical writing; and relevant software.

Ability to: Build proficiency in commonly used software including Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and R at a level required for successful job performance; maintain, organize, and work with large data sets; prepare clear and concise data presentations and summaries in figures and tables; make oral presentations to scientific and general audiences; safely work and enforce safety protocols on a research vessel; swim; direct the work of others and provide feedback to subordinates in a timely manner.

Special Personal Characteristics: Interest in estuarine ecology and marine and estuarine fishes and invertebrates. Commitment to develop and improve understanding of the ecology of the San Francisco Estuary and biology of the fishes and invertebrates that inhabit it.

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:
Timothy Malinich
(209) 403-0748
timothy.malinich@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.

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.

In order to be considered for this position, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications below with your State application. Please keep your collective answers to no more than two pages, single-spaced, using 12-point Arial font. If submitting your application electronically (via CalCareers), attach the document under Required Documents in Part 4) Application Package of the application steps.
The Statement of Qualifications will be used to supplement the screening of applicants' job qualifications. Both questions must have responses to be considered for this position. Applicants whose response to the SOQ does not follow these specifications or is not related to the prompt(s) may be eliminated from further consideration.

1. Describe your experience working on an interagency team (or similar team from various backgrounds) to meet a common goal or complete a project. Please emphasize strategies you used or would use in the future to work effectively. Please reference experiences listed in your employment history (also reviewed as a part of your application).

2. Review the duty statement for this position. Having reviewed the duties of the position please highlight skills, experiences, and familiarity with different data management programs that would make you the ideal candidate for this position. Please reference your employment history when describing the when/how/where skills developed.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-323-0762-019 and RPA Number E-R3 SO 25-035 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.

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