Aquatic Ecologist

Job Description and Duties

This position offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be part of a team of interdisciplinary scientists in the Aquatic Ecology Unit (AEU) and the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP). AEU conducts long-term monitoring and aquatic ecology field studies in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The incumbent is responsible for leading field surveys for the collection of fisheries, invertebrate, water quality, and other ecological data for the Yolo Bypass Fish Monitoring Program, affiliated special studies, and other long-term IEP monitoring programs. The incumbent will correctly identify and monitor native and non-native fish and lower trophic communities using a variety of techniques, including use of a rotary screw trap, fyke trap, net tows, and beach seine surveys. Other duties include but are not limited to laboratory processing of water quality, biological, and molecular samples, implementing new quality control measures, maintaining and troubleshooting field equipment, and preparing technical data reports. Field duties require rigorous physical work under variable conditions.

As a permanent-intermittent position, the incumbent may not exceed working 1,500 hours in a calendar year. Permanent-intermittent (PI) employees are eligible to receive benefits after meeting the required work hour criteria and do receive holiday pay on a pro-rated basis.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

Candidates must possess:

• a valid California driver’s license

Candidates must be able to:

• Obtain a California boater card
• Be available to conduct fieldwork outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late nights, and weekends.
• Work aboard boats and other sampling equipment for extended periods without incapacitation due to seasickness.
• Swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat for at least 10 minutes with assistance of a personal floatation device.
• Carry and transport loads of up to 40 lbs, with assistance.
• Evaluate and consider safety requirements for field work.

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:

A well-qualified candidate will have experience:

• Coordinating and conducting scientific fieldwork in remote or rugged terrain, aboard boats and other field equipment (e.g., rotary screw traps), including operation of motorized boats and implementation of field surveys or long-term monitoring protocols.
• Maintaining, operating, and troubleshooting rotary screw traps and fyke traps used in fisheries monitoring.
• In aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, food web ecology, or water quality monitoring, including work with ESA- or CESA-listed species.
• With taxonomic identification of fish and aquatic invertebrates and associated field sampling techniques.
• Using water quality instrumentation (e.g., multiparameter sondes or equivalent field sensors).
• Processing water quality and biological samples in a laboratory setting.
• Conducting molecular laboratory analyses, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and related DNA-based techniques.
• Maintaining laboratory organization, including sample tracking, inventories, and documentation systems.
• Coordinating with contract laboratories, to send and receive results, including Chain of Custody preparation and sample submission procedures.
• Designing and implementing QA/QC procedures for ecological data.
• Managing ecological data using relational database systems (e.g., MS Access).
• Aggregating ecological data and identifying errors or anomalies during data review.
• Analyzing ecological data using statistical and geospatial methods (e.g., R, GIS, and related analytical tools).
• Preparing technical materials, including reports, presentations, and briefings for scientific or interagency audiences.
• Working independently and collaboratively in field and office environments.
• Familiarity with ecological and regulatory issues in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary.
• Demonstrating communication, leadership, and field safety awareness.
• Using Microsoft Office Suite and scientific software tools (e.g., R, GIS, and relational database systems) for data management and analysis.

Benefits

DWR employees are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

Flexible Work Hours

Free Parking

Telework Opportunities

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits

Paid Sick & Vacation

Retirement

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) & 457 plans

Student Loan Forgiveness

Long Term Care

Group Legal Services

We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

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. For additional information please visit 

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter not to exceed one page, and supplemental questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position #50106055 and Job Control #536359 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to elicit information regarding each applicant’s abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please complete this questionnaire and identify a reference who can verify your knowledge and/or experience. If you do not have experience regarding the question, then include examples of similar experience that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function. Please limit your answer to approximately one page, single-spaced, and in Arial 12 pt font.

1. Describe a specific experience in which you led or worked as part of a team to conduct scientific work and what steps you took to ensure effective communication, problem solving, team safety and data quality.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.

Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey . This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

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.
• Other - Cover Letter - See Special Instructions.
• Other - Supplemental Questionnaire - See Special Instructions below.