Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can provide critical information that impacts organizational success? Are you interested in building relationships with agencies, elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties to protect the environment and wildlife during emergency response? The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is seeking a successful communicator to serve as the statewide Liaison Officer to support the Department's mission during oil spill responses and serve as the Subject Matter Expert for the Liaison Officer training program.

Under the general direction of OSPR's Outreach and Training Unit Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) serves as OSPR's lead Liaison Officer during oil spill responses, ensuring interested parties are kept informed of response activities. The incumbent is responsible for training OSPR's Liaison Officer corps, developing job aids and templates, reviewing task books, and coordinating cross-training with partner agencies and industry. The incumbent will also participate in outreach events to strengthen partnerships and support oil spill prevention and response efforts throughout California.

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)


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

Working Conditions
This position requires the incumbent to be periodically on-call during off-duty hours.

OSPR is a 24-hour oil and pollution spill response organization. The incumbent in this position may be required to participate in spill prevention and response training, drills, and incidents throughout California, and must be available to deploy or travel with short notice for extended periods of time, up to seven (7) days or more, via private or public transportation. Incumbents in designated response roles are expected to keep their state-issued cellphone on and accessible and to respond to response-related communications as practicable. Public engagement events or field work may require irregular hours, the wearing of a DFW-issued uniform, and operation of state vehicles with a valid California driver's license.


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-528835


Position #(s):
565-071-0765-048

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:
Yolo 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:


Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
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 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 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.


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:
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jenna Driscoll
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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
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (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) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of the candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than 3 pages in length, using Arial size 12 pt. font. Each response must be numbered to correspond with the respective item listed below. Failure to follow these directions may result in disqualification.

1) Describe your experience and training in emergency response, oil spill response, disaster management, and/or the incident command system. Particularly highlight any experience fulfilling responsibilities of a Liaison Officer during an emergency response.

2) Describe your experience engaging with elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and/or agency executive leadership and addressing their concerns. Include experience developing various communication products that synthesize complex information for these groups (e.g. presentations, briefings, fact sheets).

3) Describe your experience implementing an internal training program to evaluate and improve staff proficiency and qualifications while fostering a collaborative-learning environment.

4) This position requires sound judgment under pressure. Describe a situation in which you had to make a high-stakes decision with limited information. What process did you use to evaluate your options, and what was the result?



Filing Instructions


You must reference Position Number 565-071-0765-048 and RPA Number E-OSPR 26-001 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 . 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.