Be essential at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), where employees are valued and come together to manage and protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and habitats, for their ecological values and public use and enjoyment! The incumbent will provide a broad range of diverse biological and environmental review and regulatory tasks, including conducting complex investigations and directing projects involving multiple wildlife species and habitat resource assessment, directing long term conservation planning, environmental review, public outreach and education, wildlife loss and depredation response, and law and regulation changes within the South Coast Region. Incumbent will lead large mammal population assessment and tracking projects. They will manage and respond to wildlife conflict and incident response in coordination with regional staff, Law Enforcement Division, and the Wildlife Health Laboratory, and investigate reported conflicts, depredation, potential public safety, and investigations associated with wildfire, drought, disease, or contaminants. Good communication skills are important as the incumbent will also provide public outreach and education, and participate in public meetings and seminars. The primary geographical focus of this position will be in San Diego and Orange counties, but work may be assigned in any part of the Region and occasionally statewide.
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. 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.
Office location will be at San Diego CDFW office. Telework option, per Statewide Telework Policy, may be considered.
Work hours may be 10+ hours per day, atypical hours and on weekends.
Working in temperature extremes and hiking on rugged, uneven, steep terrain is to be expected.
Up to 20 nights per 12-month period, overnight travel and camping will be required.
Possession of valid driver license, and the ability to drive up to 8-hours for 10% of the time.
Ability to safely operate a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and pull a heavy trailer are needed and included in the 10% of time driving.
Must be successful in handling high-profile, high-stress public interactions as well as interactions with the media.
Incumbent must be willing to work in remote locations and alone if necessary.
Flying in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft is required.
Ability to lift and carry heavy and irregular items up to 40 lbs.
Must feel comfortable with potential close contact with imperiled and/or confined wild animals.
Must complete mandatory wildlife capture training and firearms training within 6 months of hire.
Must be willing and capable to competently use firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel.
Must be willing and capable to competently use and possess wildlife restraint drugs and equipment.
Must be willing to handle live animals, carcasses, and conduct simple tissue sampling and necropsies.
Must be vaccinated against rabies virus with adequate current antibody titer or willing to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations. Must track titer to stay within safe limits to handle wildlife.
Ability to use a computer keyboard in a sitting and/or standing position several hours a day.
Will interact with regional and branch staff, and members of the public via e-mail, telephone, and in-person. Must attend regular meetings.
Must be willing to wear a field uniform when in the field or in public
