ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Operations

Santa Barbara County, CA, USA

USD 4,418-9,321 / month

Posted on Jul 23, 2026

Job Posting: Environmental Scientist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-525863
-
Environmental Scientist
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: 8/5/2026

Job Description and Duties

Do you love streams? Do you love fish and wildlife? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a motivated individual to work on permitting and environmental review that would protect our great South Coast Region resources. Is that you?

Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the position will work on permitting, compliance, and monitoring of projects related to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and Lake and Streambed Alteration (LSA) within a specific geographical area within the CDFW's South Coast Region Habitat Conservation Planning Program. With detailed instruction and in accordance with specific standards, the Limited Term Environmental Scientist will work with permitting and compliance of current laws, regulations, CDFW policy, and procedures pertaining to the protection of biological resources.

Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist/Exam Bulletin

This position is posted in the following counties: Santa Barbara/Orange counties.

Please apply to each county in which you are interested in working.

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.

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.

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

Working Conditions

The office will be located in the Seal Beach or Santa Barbara office and must be able to travel up to 15% to attend site visits throughout the South Coast Region, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties. Travel outside the region up to 5% will also be required. The position involves using a computer keyboard and Microsoft Office software for up to eight hours per day, as well as performing office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking between locations. The role includes coordinating and participating in meetings and conference calls, attending in-person workgroups with stakeholders, and engaging with local, state, and federal agencies in the South Coast Region. Field site visits will be necessary, and the incumbent must be able to walk on uneven, hilly terrain. As a condition of employment, the incumbent may be required to wear a uniform in accordance with CDFW’s Operations Manual (Section 12901) during field surveys and public interactions, both within and outside the Region as directed by the supervisor. A valid driver's license is required for travel and field site visits to remote or rural areas where alternative transportation is not feasible. 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.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-525863
Position #(s):
565-531-0762-032
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:
Santa Barbara County
Telework:
Hybrid
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

This position requires an extensive knowledge of environmental impacts, ecological principles, a high degree of personal initiative, and independent judgment. Performance of specified activities will require an in-depth knowledge of CDFW administrative procedures and policies, applicable permitting and environmental laws including the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Endangered Species Act and Fish and Game Code 1600. Public contacts made in the course of this work are highly sensitive and involve a wide variety of stakeholders. Errors in applying or presenting the best available technical information may have significant consequences for the public, CDFW, and public trust resources.
In addition to the above, broad knowledge of the legislative process; California and Federal environmental regulatory and resource management laws, regulations, plans, programs, and policies relating to their program area; resource management practices and techniques; and chemical substances and waste materials and their interactions with and effects on public health and the environment. Ability to apply or modify scientific methods and principles; collect environmental data; analyze and evaluate data and reach sound conclusions; review, check, and interpret scientific and environmental reports; analyze situations and take appropriate actions; establish and maintain cooperative relations with all persons contacted; communicate effectively; prepare clear, complete, and technically accurate reports; apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements of California and Federal environmental protection and resource management programs; assess the impact of proposed State and Federal environmental legislation and regulations; understand principles of risk assessment and risk management; work with professionals from a variety of disciplines within and outside of State government; and review and understand technical research reports on emerging public health and environmental issues.

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: 8/5/2026

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
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.

    A Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with your State Application. The Supplemental Questionnaire is a discussion of your experience as it relates to this position and must be no more than one page in length, size 12 point Arial font. Applications received without a completed Supplemental Questionnaire will not be considered. Please include your name and the following questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Please provide specific examples that addresses each topic below. Make sure to include who you worked with and what were your individual contributions to the prompt.
    1. Describe your experience conducting habitat assessments, fish and wildlife (including plant) surveys, stream, lake, or fish and wildlife surveys, and hydrological assessments.
    2. Describe your experience with permitting, enforcing, and/or implementing environmental laws and regulations.
  • 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.

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:
Frederic (Fritz) Rieman
(562) 619-0605
Frederic.Rieman@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.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-531-0762-032 and RPA Number E-R5 ES 25-023 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.

See more open positions at California Department of Fish and Wildlife