Nutria Eradication Field Crew Lead

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Nutria Eradication Operations Supervisor, the incumbent will serve as one of the lead field scientists for the Nutria Eradication Program. Nutria are highly invasive and extremely detrimental to the environment, but primarily nocturnal and relatively elusive in low densities. This position will play a critical role in the coordination of field crews conducting nutria surveys and trapping across the southern portion of the nutria infestation. The incumbent will assist the Operations Supervisor with training, leading, and evaluating field crew technicians and scientific aides to survey for, detect, and remove nutria, with the ultimate goal of eradicating nutria from the State of California. The incumbent will lead the team by example in conducting habitat suitability assessments, visual observation and camera surveys, trapping, and electronic data collection (i.e., ESRI Field Maps smartphone application), as well as effective use of baits and lures and obtaining entry permits from local landowners. The incumbent is responsible for conducting morning briefings of the assigned crew, tracking daily spatial assignments, and ensuring field staff understand understand project protocols. The incumbent will work with the Operations Supervisors, other field crew leads, and Planning Specialist to evaluate and help refine detection and trapping methods and tools for the most effective and efficient detection and removal of nutria. The incumbent will also closely coordinate with other regions and Department functions, as well as other affected and involved local, State, and Federal agencies. Work includes preparing draft reports and correspondence and answering routine questions from the public relative to Departmental nutria efforts. The primary geographical focus of this position will be in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Kings, Kern, and Mariposa counties, but work may be assigned in any part of the area of nutria infestation. This position is physically demanding, but highly rewarding given the ultimate accomplishment of protecting California's wetlands, waterways, infrastructure, and agriculture from the devastation nutria have caused in other regions of North America.

Incumbent must be willing and able to competently use firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel. Must be willing and able to competently use and possess wildlife restraint drugs and equipment. Must wear a Department uniform.

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:

.

Link to Environmental Scientist Exam: CalCareers

This position is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

During this 12-month Limited Term assignment, you will receive full health, dental, and vision benefits! You will also earn State Service and accrue monthly leave credits.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Must be willing to work atypical hours and on weekends. Some overnight travel may be required (up to 5%). Must be able to swim, walk through deep mud and thick vegetation, work on steep or uneven terrain, in extreme weather and under physically challenging conditions. Must be willing and able to competently use pellet pistols or firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel. Willing to handle live animals and carcasses, dispatch animals, and conduct simple tissue sampling and necropsies. Must possess valid Driver's License and be able to safely and effectively operate watercraft and and Utility Task Vehicles (UTV)s, as well as tow trailers. This job requires daily operation of State vehicles to reach field sites, regular use of kayaks, and occasional operation of UTVs and motorized watercraft. Must wear Department uniform. Must be willing and able to obtain a California Boater Card and other motorboat operator certifications as determined necessary.

The primary geographical focus of this position will be in Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Kings, Kern, and Mariposa counties, but work may be assigned in any part of the area of nutria infestation.

This is a 12-month limited-term position but may be extended to 24 months based on performance and availability of funding.

Special Requirements

Ability to swim at least 50 yards and to stay afloat at least five minutes; good physical condition; and ability to lift 40 pounds.

The selected candidate may be required to provide transcripts (may be unofficial).

This position requires possession of a valid Driver's License. The selected candidate will be required to provide a photocopy (front and back) of the license: Name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL #, Class, expiration.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-481-0762-905 and RPA Number E-R4 WM 26-003in 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.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

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.

  1. Please describe your experience with teaching/training colleagues or co-workers and providing leadership to a team.

  2. Please describe your experience and/or special qualities that make you well-suited for acting as a liaison between the Operations Supervisor and the field crew you would be responsible for leading.