BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM MANAGER

Job Description and Duties

The reporting location for this position is Sacramento, CA. This position will work under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory).

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring an Environmental Scientist to help advance efforts to conserve coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity in California. This includes conserving 30 percent of California’s coastal waters by 2030, adaptively managing California’s marine protected area network, improving coordination of coastal, marine, and estuarine monitoring and data management, and strengthening conservation at California’s land-sea interface.

The Environmental Scientist will be responsible for collaborating with other OPC staff, state and federal regulatory agencies, California Native American tribes, academic scientists, non-profits, community representatives, and others to advance OPC’s strategic priorities related to coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity. The Environmental Scientist will also be responsible for grant and contract management including developing scopes of work and budgets, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with grantees. Overall, this role will be responsible for supporting implementation of OPC’s mission and California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) policy initiatives, which include embedding equity and environmental justice into programs and actions to support statewide efforts to enhance, protect, and restore biodiversity.

Applicants should have a strong scientific background, working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues and stakeholders in California, and experience working on projects and/or research related to coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity in California or elsewhere. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to become proficient in new and emerging topics, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks are a must. Specific knowledge and experience related to coastal and/or marine protection or restoration, biological and environmental monitoring, the land-sea interface, and data management is preferred. Experience working with the state’s natural resource management agencies is beneficial, but not required. 

Training and Development Assignments may be considered.

For further information regarding this position, please contact Michael Esgro at Show phone number or at View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

CNRA values diverse employees working together, and prioritizes an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. 

Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Note: New to the State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is categorized as Office-Centered . This position is Sacramento-based and required to be in office 4 days per week. In limited circumstances, the position incumbent can telework with a management approved telework agreement and schedule. Satisfactory job performance is required to maintain a teleworking agreement.

Personal Leave Program 2025:

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. For additional information please visit  Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Special Requirements

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the State Application STD 678. 

• "To" and "From" dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State experience should list the department and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position.

Transcripts

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found  here.

Personal Identifying Information Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any personally identifying information.

The Minimum qualifications can be found in classification specifications.

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:

• Strong scientific and policy background.

• Working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues and stakeholders in California.

• Experience working on projects, research, developing and/or analyzing regulations, policy, or legislation related to coastal, marine, estuarine ecology and/or biodiversity in California or elsewhere.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

Personal Leave Program 2025 

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. For additional information please visit  Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Statement of Qualifications

The following items are required to be submitted with you application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

Supplemental questionnaire must be no more than one page in length per question, single-spaced, size 12-point Arial font. 

Provide responses to the following questions:

1. Describe your scientific and/or management experience working on issues related to coastal, marine, and/or estuarine biodiversity, including restoration, monitoring, and/or data management and visualization, in California or elsewhere.

1. Describe your experience analyzing and communicating complex scientific issues for a range of audiences, such as high-level decision-makers or members of the public. Include relevant technical experience and proficiencies, such as, but not limited to, geographic information science (GIS) or other data synthesis tools used to communicate or visualize large data sets and complex scientific topics for a non-technical audience.

1. Describe your experience working with diverse partners– for example, federal or state agencies, California Native American tribes, conservation organizations, or local communities. What strategies have you used to ensure effective coordination and collaboration?

Please provide the name and telephone number of a former supervisor/ reference who can verify the work and/or experience you described above.

*** For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ or a Supplemental Questionnaire, please visit  Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.

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 and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.