Job Posting: Aquatic Ecologist
Department of Water Resources
JC-517161
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: 5/26/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
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Job Description and Duties
This position offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be part of a team of professional scientists in the Aquatic Ecology Unit (AEU) and the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP). AEU conducts long-term monitoring and aquatic ecology field studies in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The incumbent is responsible for leading field surveys for the collection of fisheries, invertebrate, water quality, and other ecological data for the Yolo Bypass Fish Monitoring Program, affiliated special studies, and other long-term IEP monitoring programs. The incumbent will correctly identify and monitor native and non-native fish populations using a variety of fisheries techniques, including use of a rotary screw trap, fyke trap, and beach seine surveys. Other duties include but are not limited to laboratory processing of water quality and biological samples, implementing new quality control measures, maintaining and troubleshooting field equipment, and preparing technical data reports. Field duties require rigorous physical work under variable conditions.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-517161
Position #(s):
840-360-0762-900
Working Title:
Aquatic Ecologist
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:
Yolo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours
Department Information
Division of Integrated Science & Engineering
Ecosystem Monitoring, Research, and Reporting Branch
Estuarine Science & Monitoring Section
Aquatic Ecology Unit
West Sacramento
Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage Californias water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.
At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the states people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWRs equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/
Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWRs Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
Special Requirements
Candidates must possess a valid California drivers license.
Candidates must be able to obtain a California boater card; be available to conduct fieldwork outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late nights, and weekends; work aboard boats and other sampling equipment for extended periods without incapacitation due to seasickness; swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat for at least 10 minutes with assistance of a personal floatation device; carry and transport loads of up to 40 lbs, with assistance; and evaluate and consider safety requirements for field work.
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: 5/26/2026
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 Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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:
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.
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:
A well qualified candidate will have experience coordinating and conducting scientific fieldwork in remote or rugged terrain, aboard boats and other field equipment (e.g., rotary screw traps), including operation of motorized boats and implementation of field surveys or long-term monitoring protocols; maintaining, operating, and troubleshooting rotary screw traps and fyke traps used in fisheries monitoring; in aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, food web ecology, or water quality monitoring, including work with ESA- or CESA-listed species; with taxonomic identification of fish and aquatic invertebrates and associated field sampling techniques; using water quality instrumentation (e.g., multiparameter sondes or equivalent field sensors); processing water quality and biological samples in a laboratory setting; conducting molecular laboratory analyses, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and related DNA-based techniques; maintaining laboratory organization, including sample tracking, inventories, and documentation systems; coordinating with contract laboratories, including Chain of Custody preparation and sample submission procedures; designing and implementing QA/QC procedures for ecological data; managing ecological data using relational database systems (e.g., MS Access, Azure, Water Data Library, or equivalent systems); aggregating ecological data and identifying errors or anomalies during data review; analyzing ecological data using statistical and geospatial methods (e.g., R, GIS, and related analytical tools); preparing technical materials, including reports, presentations, and briefings for scientific or interagency audiences; working independently and collaboratively in field and office environments; familiarity with ecological and regulatory issues in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary; demonstrating communication, leadership, and field safety awareness; and using Microsoft Office Suite and scientific software tools (e.g., R, GIS, and relational database systems) for data management and analysis.
Benefits
DWR employees are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:
Flexible Work Hours
Free Parking
Telework Opportunities
Health, Dental & Vision Benefits
Paid Sick & Vacation
Retirement
Basic Group Term Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
11 Paid Holidays
401(k) & 457 plans
Student Loan Forgiveness
Long Term Care
Group Legal Services
We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.
Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Gareth Johnson
(916) 882-0989
DISE_HR@water.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.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.
Special Instructions
To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position #50105253 and Job Control #517161 in the examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying section of your application.
The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to elicit information regarding each applicants abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please complete this questionnaire and identify a reference who can verify your knowledge and/or experience. If you do not have experience regarding the question, then include examples of similar experience that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function. Please limit your answer to approximately one page for each question (Arial 12 pt font and 1 margins).
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.
Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Click here to complete DWRs Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
Examination/Assessment
For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.
Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
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.