Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Are you passionate about using best science to inform wildlife management?

The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Upland Game Unit is seeking a motivated individual to work as an Environmental Scientist in the Wildlife Branch headquarters located in West Sacramento.

Under the general supervision of the Upland Game and Waterfowl Units Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, the Environmental Scientist will provide subject matter expertise in designing and implementing monitoring protocols to address data gaps in upland bird ecology; assess upland game populations and develop adaptive management strategies; analyze harvest data to inform management frameworks; write reports and provide presentations on the status of upland game monitoring efforts and upland game bird populations to staff, partners, and the public; coordinate technical transfer of upland game bird monitoring protocols, data management, and analyses that support management recommendations; improve accessibility to upland game data and design outreach materials and user-friendly tools for the public; and develop tools and workflows to improve data collection, processing, visualization, and delivery.

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:

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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.

Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist / Exam Bulletin

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Ability to use a computer and standard word processing software. Ability to drive a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, ATV and hike cross-country to remote survey sites in rugged terrain, hot and freezing conditions, subject to biting insects, and some overnight camping. Attend meetings; work with staff statewide to complete work assignments. Overnight travel may be required and will not exceed 5% of time performing duties.

Special Requirements

Incumbent must possess good communication skills, get along well with others and work in small groups for extended periods of time. Incumbent is also required to drive a state-owned vehicle to transport equipment and samples and conduct field work throughout the State. Incumbent must have the physical ability to elevate objects up to 40 pounds in weight and to hike up to three miles to access field sites. Incumbent is expected to interact with the public and maintain a high level of professional integrity. Incumbent shows willingness to: work irregular hours including weekends and holidays, do routine work in order to learn, develop interest in and aptitude for the work, and wear a uniform.

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:

Experience processing autonomous recording unit data

Expertise in R Shiny

Familiarity with statistical methods and experience performing ecological models

Experience presenting in professional venues

Experience contributing to peer-reviewed scientific literature

Knowledge of public datasets (for example: eBird, Rangeland Analysis Platform)

Ability to identify birds visually and aurally

Benefits

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

Statement 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.

Please answer the following questions. Statement of qualification must be no more than one page in length, size 12 point Arial font.

1.) An important component of this position is being able to accurately and efficiently assess upland game populations. Describe your experience with different monitoring techniques for upland game. If applicable, describe your specific experience with autonomous recording units.

2.) Part of the duties of this position require processing large quantities of data as well as working with large spatial data files. Describe your experience managing and processing large datasets. If applicable, describe your experience working with spatial data.

3.) In this position, you will be providing technical expertise to inform management plans as well as making our work accessible and understandable to the public. Describe your experience providing technical guidance that directly informed a management application.

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.

• Other -

  A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.