Job Posting: Senior Laboratory Assistant

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-531731
-
Senior Laboratory Assistant
SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT

$3,922.00 - $4,908.00 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: 9/20/2026

Job Description and Duties

Come join our team at the Central Valley Coded-Wire Tag (CWT) Laboratory and Central Valley Tissue Archive! If you’re driven by science, conservation, and the chance to make a real impact on California’s iconic salmon populations, this job puts you at the heart of it. In this role, you’ll lead hands-on biological sampling at Central Valley hatcheries, guiding Scientific Aids as you collect tissue, scale, otoliths, and coded-wire-tag data essential to understanding, conserving and managing Chinook Salmon fisheries. Your days will take you from hatchery decks to the lab bench, ensuring samples are collected with precision, processed for long-term research value, and shared with genetic and life-history studies across the state. You’ll maintain chain-of-custody documentation, perform detailed scale analyses, and serve as a technical mentor in coded-wire tag extraction and reading—helping ensure California’s fisheries science remains robust and accurate.

Back at the lab and office, you’ll keep operations running smoothly by managing data entry and quality control across multiple databases, maintaining supplies for both field and laboratory teams, and preparing sample kits for crews working throughout the Central Valley. You’ll also help train, and lead seasonal staff supporting the Central Valley CWT Lab, contributing to a collaborative and mission-driven work environment. The role blends lab work with feild work at the hatcheries and salvage facilities, and requires comfort working long hours outdoors, extended microscope and computer time, and frequent travel in state vehicles to hatcheries and fish salvage facilities. A valid California driver’s license is required. If you’re ready to support meaningful fisheries research and enjoy work that’s as varied as it is important, this is your chance to dive in.

Link to Class Title Exam: Senior Laboratory Assistant/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.

Working Conditions

- Work long hours in the field (typically in a hatchery setting)
- Drive several hours to sample collection sites (typically on paved roads)
- Work outside in all weather conditions
- Work several hours in a lab setting (both standing and sitting)
- Work several hours looking through a microscope
- Work several hours on a computer
- Willingness to work irregular hours and flexible schedules

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-531731
Position #(s):
565-033-7878-905
Working Title:
Senior Laboratory Assistant
Classification:
SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT
$3,922.00 - $4,908.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
3
Work Location:
Yolo County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours

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

- Possess good communication skills and be able to get along well with others while working in the field (e.g., hatcheries) or in laboratory settings
- Valid state drivers license is required to drive state vehicles (up to 5%) from office to field locations, including state operated hatcheries in the Central Valley, Fish Salvage Facilities in the south Delta and other locations as directed.

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: 9/20/2026

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.
  • Other -

    A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.

    Cover letter outlining the criteria below. No more than 2 pages, 12 pt, Arial font.
    1. Explain why you are interested in the job and why you are a good fit for the job.
    2. Explain your experience and skills as it relates to the job.

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:
- Interest in fisheries or wildlife conservation and management
- Experience with training, leading and providing feedback to subordinate staff
- Good laboratory skills, time management skills, and organizational skills
- Experience with laboratory work and data/sample collection
- Aptitude for detail, personal initiative, and the ability to work independently
- Familiarity with Microsoft applications, especially Access (relational database)

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:
Mike Brown
(916) 202-5695
Mike.Brown@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 565-033-7878-905 and RPA Number P-FB 26-001, 002, 003 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