Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Inland Deserts Region has an exciting opportunity for an outgoing, independent, and highly motivated Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) - to serve as an integral part of a team implementing the Habitat Conservation Planning Program. This position will perform duties related to Lake and Streambed Alteration, California Endangered Species Act, and other functions of the Habitat Conservation Program throughout Region 6. We are looking for somebody that has a comprehensive knowledge and interest in applying CDFW's mission to manage fish and wildlife resources.

Under the direction of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) and as part of CDFW’s Inland Deserts Region Habitat Conservation Program, the incumbent identifies issues, develops solutions, and coordinates with CDFW and California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) staff on compliance with California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and Fish and Game Code section 1600. Primary duties include tracking and reviewing Caltrans’ mitigation compliance for CESA and Lake or Streambed Alteration (LSA) obligations, including facilitating approval of Habitat Mitigation Land Acquisition (HMLA) packages and mitigation banking receipts. The position requires broad ecological and regulatory knowledge, involves sensitive stakeholder interactions, and serves as the region’s lead on statewide Caltrans related mitigation and environmental compliance efforts.

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist): Exam Bulletin Link

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.

This position is being re-advertised. If you previously applied, your application is being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Ability to use a computer keyboard and Microsoft office software up to eight hours a day. Travel and fieldwork are required. Field work includes driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle or hiking long distances in rugged terrain. Attendance at site visits, meetings, and internal/external trainings in all five counties in the Region, Sacramento or throughout the State require occasional overnight travel up to 5% to reach some meeting, project, or site locations. Willingness to work long hours, sometimes including early mornings, late nights and weekends. The Position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff when completing fieldwork. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule depending on operational needs.

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:

• Skills: Knowledge of basic principles of land, water, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources research; knowledge of principles of ecology; ability to apply environmental and natural resource principals for the analysis of proposed projects; ability to analyze and evaluate data and reach sound conclusions; ability to prepare clear, complete, and technically accurate reports.

• Special Personal Characteristics: Strong verbal and written communication skills; analytical ability; attention to detail; demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently; high degree of initiative, flexibility, open-mindedness, and tact; ability to develop and maintain productive relationships while working in contentious settings; maintain professional personal appearance; good work ethic; reliability; and leadership.

• Interpersonal Skills: Work independently and in a team setting; communicate politely, tactfully, and firmly as necessary with other agency representatives and members of the public; demonstrate excellent listening skills and effective negotiation skills to facilitate and resolve conflicts; inspire confidence and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and managers in government and industry.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-604-0765-905 and RPA Number E-R6 WR SB 25-009 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.
• 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.

• 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.

  Cover letter should describe what interests you about working for California Department of Fish and Wildlife.