Job Posting: Environmental Scientist
Department of Fish and Wildlife
JC-520226
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 6/17/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
Save Job
Job Description and Duties
The Department Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region Inland Fisheries and Wild Trout Program has an opening for a Limited Term Environmental Scientist. The incumbent will be responsible for aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring in California's northern nine counties. Specific duties include following established protocols for eDNA, veliger, and adult mussel monitoring, collecting water quality samples, recording data accurately, maintaining sampling records, completing summary reports, data entry, AIS response, and provide AIS information to the public.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team in a position that provides development of expertise in fisheries science and management, aquatic invasive species survey and detection techniques, water quality sampling, public outreach and education, and data collection/management, and reporting. This position will require a significant commitment to travel including long-day trips and overnight trips throughout Northern Region. The incumbent shall expect to hike, work in and around water, operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle in remote locations, and utilize watercraft for sampling.
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
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.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Work is conducted primarily outdoors around water. Requires frequent and extensive travel to reach field sites, including trips lasting multiple days. Use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available.
Field work can require early morning starts, hiking over uneven terrain, and riding in a watercraft. Office duties require use of a computer for several hours; sitting, standing, or walking; attendance at meetings and conference calls. As a condition of employment, the incumbent is required to wear an appropriate uniform consistent with CDFW's Operations Manual (Section 12901) for various work situations, including field surveys and public interaction. This position offers the possibility of an office-centered telework agreement based on the Department's current Telework Policy. The incumbent will be required to obtain a California Boater's Card if appropriate.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-520226
Position #(s):
565-141-0762-905
Working Title:
Environmental Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
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:
Shasta County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - 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: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Special Requirements
Special Physical Characteristics: Physical strength and agility to hike off trail on uneven terrain, and around shorelines; ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes; Ability to adapt to changing conditions and tasks.
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: 6/17/2026
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.
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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:
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.
A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.
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: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Samuel Plemons
(530) 605-8317
Samuel.Plemons@wildlife.ca.gov
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
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Supplemental Questionnaire
Supplemental Questions is required for the hiring manager's review. Applications submitted without Supplemental Questions may be disqualified. The Supplemental Questions serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Provide responses to the following statements, not to exceed one (1) typed 8-1/2" x 11"page, using 12 point Arial font, addressing your knowledge, skills, and experience as it relates to:
Please describe you experience as it relates to aquatic invasive species (AIS)? What type/s of AIS surveys have you conducted? What AIS and/or water quality sampling equipment have you used?
Please describe your experience managing a large monitoring project and leading field crews.
Filing Instructions
You must reference Position Number 565-141-0762-905 and RPA Number E-R1 F 25-033 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 https://jobs.ca.gov. 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.
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.