Senior Environmental Scientist

Do you want to conserve California's natural resources in the work you perform every day? You can have an impact by working collaboratively to help fulfill the Department of Fish and Wildlife's mission.


Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California's diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, The Department of Fish and Wildlife values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.


CDFW's Northern Region Cannabis Enforcement Program (CEP) is looking for a highly motivated Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to work with a dedicated team of natural resource professionals to conserve sensitive habitat by regulating both illicit and legal cannabis farms in Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, and Del Norte counties.

The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) will work in close cooperation with CDFW's Law Enforcement Division (LED), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), county code enforcement offices, State Waterboard Division of Water Rights, the Department of Cannabis Control, and local law enforcement offices. The incumbent's primary responsibility will be to lead environmental assessments (i.e. document impacts to natural resources) during specialized cannabis cultivation site investigations. However, the work does not simply end with the environmental assessment. This position will often maintain a leadership role in seeing cannabis cultivation sites through to complete site remediation and/or joining California's legal market. This requires the Senior ES Specialist to conduct environmental compliance and monitoring of sites, including driving and operating a vehicle for official state business, and to work collaboratively with CDFW's Cannabis Grants Program to fund eligible, high priority sites, and effectively communicate courses of action with responsible parties and the public.

There will never be a dull day on the job as you see new lands, meet interesting people, and work with great scientists all focused on conserving California's public trust resources!

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:


Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR .


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 Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) Exam: CalCareers


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
Ability to work unusual and/or long hours; work consecutive days in the office at a computer; use Microsoft Office Suite and have familiarity with Esri software; travel frequently; spend multiple/consecutive days in the field assessing habitat conditions in adverse weather or terrain, with occasional overnight camping; walking in and through rural terrain where outdoor cannabis cultivation occurs; hiking over rough terrain with no vehicle access; operating a 4WD vehicle off highway, over rough terrain on a weekly basis; operate an all-terrain vehicle occasionally. As a condition of employment, the incumbent shall possess a valid driver's license to operate a State vehicle, wear an appropriate uniform consistent with CDFW's Operations Manual (Section 12901) for various work situations, such as field surveys and work with public interaction, within and outside the Region as required by the supervisor.

Telework is up to the discretion and approval of the supervisor and will be consistent with current telework policies.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-524940


Position #(s):
565-131-0765-035

Working Title:
Senior Environmental Scientist


Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) $7,820.00 - $10,732.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Humboldt County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California's diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.

California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.

Join us and begin a meaningful new career!

Department Website:


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


Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/27/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address (PO Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209


Sacramento , CA 94244


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento , CA 95814


08:00 AM - 05:00 PM


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.
  
  
  In no more than 2 pages total in 12 point Arial font, please answer the following:
  1) Please describe your experience working in the regulatory field of environmental permitting with biological issues such as fish and wildlife, plants, and their associated habitats. Examples may include, but are not limited to, California Endangered Species Act, Lake and Streambed Alteration Program (Fish and Game Code 1600), cannabis cultivation licensing, and California Environmental Quality Act.
  2) This position works closely with CDFW wildlife officers and other state/local law enforcement agencies on environmental issues related to cannabis cultivation. Please describe your experience working with other agencies in leading environmental investigations, reviewing projects and enforcing regulations to achieve compliance.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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



Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website:
Hiring Unit Contact:
Rebecca Garwood
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Civil Rights Office
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Filing Instructions


You must reference Position Number 565-131-0765-035 and RPA Number E-R1 HC 25-002 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.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.