Environmental Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in developing instream flow criteria to protect California’s fish and wildlife? Do you have experience or a strong interest in fisheries or aquatic biology, hydrology, or streamflow management issues? Come join the Instream Flow Program's Flow Assessment Unit, where you will work to develop flow criteria using site-specific field studies and rapid assessment methods, perform data analyses, and convey flow information.

Many Instream Flow Program projects are built on intensive field data collection efforts. Projects are conducted as a team effort, and require close collaboration with other Environmental Scientists, Senior Environmental Scientists, and the program's Senior Hydraulic Engineer, as well as coordination with other state agencies and CDFW regional offices. Field data collection typically includes assessment of stream habitat types, detailed topographic surveys of stream channels, and discharge and water surface elevation measurements. Given the variety of streams in the state and the complexity of the data analysis and technical reports, strong problem-solving and organizational skills and a positive attitude towards teamwork are essential.

In this position, you would work to effectively implement a variety of standard instream flow methods, including use of the California Environmental Flows Framework tools. Strong writing skills and experience analyzing data and creating graphics with Excel, R, and ArcGIS are a plus. Come help us in our effort to improve management of California's water for the environment!

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.

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

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is office based and requires the ability to use a computer keyboard several hours a day. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Scheduling or attending meetings and coordination efforts will prioritize in-person over virtual options. Must be able and willing to conduct seasonal fieldwork involving walking through stream channels in waders, hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain, carrying heavy equipment to survey and/or sample locations; ability to swim required. Must attend meetings and work with staff throughout the state to complete work assignments; be able to operate a motor vehicle and be willing to travel using a state vehicle. May be required to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff. Frequent travel is/may be required within the state of California via private or public transportation (i.e. automobile, airplane, etc.), up to 10%. Travel may include extended hours with overnight stay(s).

Special Requirements

Comfort working in and around moving water.

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

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 collecting field data

• Familiarity with ecological concepts related to instream flow and the impact of flow on fish, wildlife, and their habitats

• Strong technical writing and organizational skills

• Experience using Excel, ArcGIS, and data analysis tools such as R

• Communication skills including experience giving presentations to varied audiences of stakeholders

• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-038-0762-033 and RPA Number E-WATER 26-004in 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.

• Supplemental Application -

  A Supplemental Questionnaire is required . Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.

  APPLICATION REQUIREMENT : In addition to your application, provide an additional document with your response to two (2) supplemental questions. Response must be no more than two pages in length, using 12 point calibri font with 1 inch margins.
  1) Please review the duty statement and explain how your knowledge, experience, and qualifications have prepared you to perform these duties. Examples may be from your work and education.
  2) Describe your experience working in aquatic environments, including examples of fieldwork and associated office-based responsibilities.