Job Posting: Wildlife Branch CESA Specialist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-536426
-
Wildlife Branch CESA Specialist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$8,055.00 - $11,054.00 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: 11/5/2026

Job Description and Duties

The mission of the Wildlife Diversity Program is to conserve the rich diversity of California's native wildlife, which includes tens of thousands of terrestrial invertebrates and more than 1,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The program coordinates statewide conservation activities for native wildlife, including those designated as threatened or endangered pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act.

The Wildlife Diversity Program is hiring one California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Specialist! The incumbent will work independently and as part of a team to provide high level scientific, technical, and policy expertise to support the conservation, management, and monitoring of wildlife species listed under CESA. In this role, the incumbent will lead complex scientific analyses to support emergency listings and provisional candidate determinations under CESA, as well as CESA listing petitions, status reviews, five-year species reviews, recovery planning efforts, and scientific, educational, and management permitting. The incumbent will also support native wildlife conservation through a variety of program efforts which may include analyzing and synthesizing data, developing regulations, reviewing research permits, and developing grant proposals.

Come join us in this exciting and important wildlife conservation work! You willfind additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

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.

In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.

 

Class Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)/Exam Bulletin

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

Working Conditions

The position requires working in an office setting at least four days per week and requires the use of a computer for several hours each day; the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and moving to other locations, and attendance at meetings. The position may require driving a vehicle to conduct fieldwork and occasional travel up to 5%, including travel by vehicle up to 8 hours to attend meetings or conduct fieldwork. A valid California’s Driver’s license is required to drive to project sites and may require travel of up to three or more hours each way including overnight travel, early mornings and late nights; hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain and use of an ATV; work in inclement weather. The position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-536426
Position #(s):
565-035-0765-066
Working Title:
Wildlife Branch CESA Specialist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$8,055.00 - $11,054.00
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:
In Office
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

Special Personal Characteristics: Ability to multitask, adapt to changing priorities, and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Ability to follow verbal or written instructions and directions. Ability to organize and prioritize work independently and complete projects on time, and to proactively communicate with the supervisor when deadlines may not be met. A high degree of personal and professional integrity, aptitude for detail, and initiative. Empathy for and understanding of stakeholders' values and interests.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively both independently and in team environments. Ability to get along with diverse personalities while maintaining a high level of professionalism. Tactful behavior and respect for others. Ability to establish and maintain friendly and cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work, and to communicate effectively.

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: 11/5/2026

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.
  • Supplemental Application -

    A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.

  • 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.

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 wildlife ecology and conservation biology principles.
• Experience working with native California terrestrial wildlife and their habitats.
• Knowledge of global threats to wildlife populations such as climate change, invasive species, and habitat degradation.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve a common goal.
• Good analytical, interpersonal, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Experience managing a diverse suite of projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge or experience related to the California Endangered Species Act, Federal Endangered Species Act, and California Environmental Quality Act
• Open-minded and high emotional intelligence. Navigates complex and contentious issue with diplomacy and tact.

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:
Neil Clipperton
(916) 677-9726
Neil.Clipperton@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.

Supplemental Questionnaire

A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.

Supplemental Questionnaire:
To be considered for this position, a supplemental questionnaire is required to be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed and no more than 2 pages in length. Your experience in each area can be from school, work, as a volunteer, or as an intern.
1. Please describe your knowledge of and experience working with California's native invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, bird, and/or mammal species and their habitats.
2. Please describe your experience preparing clear and concise scientific, technical, and other written documents and correspondence. Also, describe your ability to communicate effectively with both professional scientific audiences and the general public.
Note: Applications received without a response to the supplemental questions will not be considered. Please include your name on your supplemental questions. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the supplemental questionnaire.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-035-0765-066 and RPA Number E-WLB 26-010 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