Job Posting: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-514913
-
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 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: 4/28/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) in the Habitat Conservation program in the Central Region, this position serves in a lead role as part of a statewide team that assists in the administration of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Cutting the Green Tape (CGT) program, to increase the pace, scale, and quality of environmental restoration through coordination of restoration project development, expedited environmental review and permitting pathways, and restoration grant management.

Link to Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) Exam: CalCareers

This position is posted in the following counties: Fresno, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento. Please apply to each county in which you are interested in working.

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

Working Conditions

The incumbent will report to the CDFW Fresno, Monterey, or San Luis Obispo Office in Fresno, Monterey, or San Luis Obispo County. The position requires the use of a computer for several hours each day, the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attendance at meetings and workgroups in person with state and federal agency staff and interested parties or via conference call or video conference. The position may require occasional travel throughout the State including early mornings, late nights, hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain, and work in inclement weather. A valid California Driver’s License is required to drive to meetings and field sites and operate a State vehicle. This position requires a uniform for field work.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-514913
Position #(s):
565-431-0765-043
Working Title:
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
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:
Fresno 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

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: 4/28/2026

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 (PO Box)
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.

    The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, not a bulleted summary. Please answer each of the following questions for the SOQ. Identify each response with the number of the SOQ question, single-spaced, and using Arial 12-point font. Please include your name in the upper right corner. The SOQ should be no more than two (2) pages in length. Applicants who fail to follow these instructions will be disqualified. The SOQ is required to be considered for this position, applications received without the SOQ will be disqualified.
    1. Describe a time when you took initiative at work to do a project or task that was not assigned to you but that you felt was important to pursue. What was the project or task, why did you feel it was important to pursue, how did your supervisor react, and what was the outcome?
    2. This position requires knowledge of California’s environmental regulatory processes and environmental laws. Please describe your experience with California's environmental laws and regulations, or similar federal processes.

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 land, water, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources research; principles of ecology; resource management and hydrology; statistical methods; land-use practices with reference to their general effect on natural resources, and the environment; California and federal environmental laws, rules, regulations, and requirements; basic hydrology and geology; concepts employed in a variety of disciplines including environmental planning, economics, and resource management; geolocation and geo-referencing software applications; and resource conservation program impacts and implementation strategies.
Ability to: Apply or modify scientific methods and principles; collect environmental data; analyze and evaluate data and reach sound conclusions; review, check, and interpret scientific and environmental reports; analyze situations and take appropriate actions; establish and maintain cooperative relations with all persons contacted; communicate effectively; prepare clear, complete, and technically accurate reports; apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements of California and federal environmental protection and resource management programs; assess the impact of proposed State and federal environmental legislation and regulations; work with professionals from a variety of disciplines within and outside of State government; and review and understand technical research reports on emerging environmental issues.

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:
Kelley Aubushon
(559) 939-3866
kelley.aubushon@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 565-431-0765-043 and RPA Number E-R4 IF 25-008 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.

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.