Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Job Description and Duties

Would you like to influence water management in California to protect aquatic species and provide ecosystem benefits? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Water Branch - Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) has an opportunity to work in a fast paced environment on some of the State’s highest profile water infrastructure projects. The Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Water Branch team in a position that provides the opportunity for rapid professional growth and the development of expertise in: water policy and management, applied fisheries science and management; wetland restoration and enhancement; and environmental regulation, law, and permitting.

This position will work closely with other program scientists to develop novel approaches to ensuring water infrastructure projects under the WSIP provide ecosystem benefits to the State of California. This position will collaborate with other agency scientists, outside experts, stakeholders, and consultants on adaptive management of long-term water operations to ensure ecosystem benefits are achieved. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.

Class Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

This position is posted in the following counties: Yolo and Sacramento County . You only need to apply to one county.

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least two (2) days per week. 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.

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:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The position requires the use of a computer and Microsoft Office software up to eight hours each day, the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attendance at meetings and participation in conference or video calls. The position may require travel (less than 10%) and field work. The position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff.

This position is eligible for hybrid (office/remote) telework consistent with current State and Department policies. Currently, the incumbent is expected to work in the West Sacramento office 2 days per week.

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:

Ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact. Good organizational skills, leadership, and initiative. Maintain effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, key agency personnel, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to be dependable, flexible, and a problem solver. Experience with California Central Valley fish species and ecosystems within the Bay-Delta watershed.

Knowledge of and/or experience with: fisheries biology, aquatic ecosystems, habitat restoration, environmental laws and regulations, California water management, data analyses, statistical methods, and scientific writing.

Ability to: communicate effectively, work on individual assignments and with a team, manage multiple assignments and deadlines, and work with a variety of stakeholders.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-038-0765-045 and RPA Number E-WATER 25-015 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• 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.

  The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be no more than one page in length, single spaced, and size 12 point Arial font. Please include name, position number and RPA announcement number in the heading of the SOQ.
  Describe your specific interest for applying to this position within the Water Storage Investment Program? What relevant skills and experience can you bring to the position that will help you thrive at Water Branch?