Environmental Scientist, Wolf Biologist

Job Description and Duties

Do you want an exciting, dynamic position working with one of California's most charismatic wildlife species? Do you want to use your field biology skills to promote endangered species recovery and resolve human-wildlife conflicts? The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region is seeking a highly-motivated individual to assist with the state's growing Gray Wolf conservation program.

This position entails serving as a Gray Wolf biologist for northern California. Key responsibilities include working with the existing Gray Wolf Program biologists to determine the distribution and abundance of Gray Wolves in northern California and their ecological relationships with other wildlife species, prevent Gray Wolf conflicts with livestock production, and contribute to public outreach on Gray Wolf ecology and conservation. The successful candidate will work with a small team of field biologists, driving 4-wheel drive and/or all-terrain vehicles, setting up and monitoring trail cameras, surveying for Gray Wolf tracks, scats and other sign, deploying non-lethal deterrents measures to prevent Gray Wolf conflicts with livestock, and participating in public meetings and other outreach events for parties interested in Gray Wolf ecology and conservation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Contribute to field surveys to document the distribution and abundance of Gray Wolves, including camera traps, hand-held telemetry, and survey for tracks, scat and other sign.

Assist with Gray Wolf capture and telemetry collaring efforts.

Collect, manage and summarize field data on Gray Wolves, including camera trap videos and biological samples, and contribute to summary reports and management recommendations for CDFW leadership.

Conduct field investigations of suspected Gray Wolf depredations on livestock.

Provide technical assistance to livestock producers on the use of non-lethal measures to deter Gray Wolves from livestock areas.

Participate in public meetings on Gray Wolf ecology and conservation.

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:

.

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: Environmental Scientist

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 long, irregular hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, typically outdoors, occasionally in inclement weather. Ability and willingness to hike several miles alone in steep uneven terrain, safely operate 4-wheel drive (4WD) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) off paved roads, and fly in small aircraft to conduct field surveys of wolves, other wildlife, and wildlife habitats. Required travel up to 80% throughout northern California and occasionally to other regions of California, with regular camping in informal campgrounds. Must comply with a policy that generally prohibits dogs and other pets in the workplace / field / vehicles unless approved through reasonable accommodation. Ability to lift items up to 40 lbs. Ability to use a computer keyboard in a sitting and/or standing position several hours per day. Must be able to qualify to use a firearm (for chemical immobilization of wildlife); must complete mandatory wildlife capture training and firearms training within 6 months of hire. Must feel comfortable with potential close contact with confined or restrained wolves and other wildlife. May be required to wear prescribed uniform. Use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available.

Special Requirements

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

Ability to lift 40 pounds; physical strength, agility and stamina to hike with a backpack in rugged terrain and to build and remove temporary fencing.

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:

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to plan and execute work with a high degree of dependability and initiative. Familiarity with tools and techniques to minimize and prevent conflicts between livestock and large predators, especially wolves. Knowledge of spreadsheet and database software (such as MS Excel and Access, or equivalent). Ability to maintain and repair field equipment and use basic tools.

Interpersonal skills: Able to maintain a positive attitude amidst changing work environments, dynamic schedules, and challenges. Able to work well independently and in a team. Open to constructive feedback and willing to learn. Polite and tactful communication skills with colleagues and members of the public is expected, including with people with diverse viewpoints. Ability to establish and maintain a positive and productive working relationship with wide variety of interested parties including livestock producers, land managers, county and Tribal officials, and staff from state and federal agencies.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-181-0762-905and RPA Number E-R1 W 26-003 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.

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 -

  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.