Wetland Restoration Ecologist

Job Description and Duties

The Fish Restoration Program (FRP) is seeking two creative, curious, and collaborative scientists to help drive cutting edge ecological analysis, interagency coordination, and field based discovery related to tidal wetland restoration across the upper San Francisco Estuary. If you’re excited by the intersection of advanced analytics, restoration science, mentorship, and hands on fieldwork, this is your opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of California’s wetlands.

What You’ll Do

• Lead advanced ecological analyses to evaluate restoration effectiveness and guide adaptive management.

• Synthesize literature, data, and multi program findings into high quality technical reports and peer-reviewed articles.

• Mentor colleagues in data analysis, visualization, and effective scientific communication.

• Work closely with partner agencies to integrate monitoring and synthesis efforts and support responsible data access and use.

• Get outside—conduct boat-based sampling of wetland invertebrates and fishes in and around the eleven FRP restoration projects.

• Support lab operations by sorting invertebrate samples, preparing nutrient samples, and calibrating water quality instruments.

Who You Are

You’re a scientist who enjoys the entire process of transforming samples into knowledge – getting muddy, wrangling data, and communicating findings, while teaching others along the way. You thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments and believe science should be transparent, rigorous, and accessible.

Why This Role Matters

FRP’s monitoring and synthesis will shape California’s wetland restoration planning and management for years to come. Your work will help determine what’s working, why it’s working, and how restoration can be improved to support fish and wildlife in a changing estuary.

Ready to put your analytical, ecological, and communication talents to work for one of the state’s most impactful restoration programs?

Apply today and help build a healthier estuary for future generations.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Please thoroughly and appropriately answer all requested information for each employment record entry in step 3) Experience of the online application. STD 678 Employment Applications will be screened for thorough completion of the Employment History section (beginning on page 4). Do not simply state to refer to your resume. If a field does not apply, enter "N/A" o r other appropriate answer. Click "Print" at the bottom of the CalCareers application to preview your STD 678 application. Applicants whose applications do not follow these instructions may be eliminated from further consideration.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Using a computer for most of the workday, 5 days a week, when in the office. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Several days a month, work aboard a small research vessel collecting and processing biological samples. Field work involves kneeling, reaching, and lifting gear up to 40 pounds, may occur in inclement weather or rough water, and require early starts and long workdays. Must possess a valid driver's license and be prepared to operate a State vehicle.

This position is located at the CDFW, Bay Delta Region field office in Stockton, California.

This position may be eligible for a telework agreement based on the Department's current Telework Policy.

Special Requirements

Must have the ability to lift a minimum of forty (40) pounds. Must be able to swim fifty (50) yards, stay afloat at least five (5) minutes, and be able to work in rough water without incapacitation due to seasickness.

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:

Self-motivating, proactive, and organized, with attention to detail. Communicates clearly and concisely. Ability to work well with the public and represent the Department in a professional manner. Ability to work cooperatively in a team setting with other Department and inter-agency staff.

Experience with:

- Statistical analysis

- Programming language/software

- Scientific writing

- Mentoring

Benefits

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

Supplemental Questionnaire

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

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

In order to be considered for this position, you must provide responses to the supplemental questionnaire below with your State application. Please keep your collective answers to no more than two pages, single-spaced, using 12-point Arial font. Applications with responses that are not related to the prompts of the supplemental questionnaire may be eliminated from consideration.

1. Describe your experience with applying statistical analysis to projects. For each project, give an overview of the topic and detail which statistical techniques were used, along with the programming language/software used to perform them.

2. Describe your experience writing technical reports, white papers, and/or peer-reviewed publications. Be specific about your role in any multi-authored products.

3. Describe your experience teaching or mentoring others in ecology and/or data analysis.

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.
• 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.