Ocean Job Board
0
Organizations
0
Jobs
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
Operations
San Diego County, CA, USA
USD 4,418-9,321 / month
Posted on Jul 24, 2026
Job Posting: Unit Biologist
Department of Fish and Wildlife
JC-525877
- Unit Biologist
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
Be essential at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), where employees are valued and come together to manage and protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and habitats, for their ecological values and public use and enjoyment! The incumbent will provide a broad range of diverse biological and environmental review and regulatory tasks, including conducting complex investigations and directing projects involving multiple wildlife species and habitat resource assessment, directing long term conservation planning, environmental review, public outreach and education, wildlife loss and depredation response, and law and regulation changes within the South Coast Region. Incumbent will lead large mammal population assessment and tracking projects. They will manage and respond to wildlife conflict and incident response in coordination with regional staff, Law Enforcement Division, and the Wildlife Health Laboratory, and investigate reported conflicts, depredation, potential public safety, and investigations associated with wildfire, drought, disease, or contaminants. Good communication skills are important as the incumbent will also provide public outreach and education, and participate in public meetings and seminars. The primary geographical focus of this position will be in San Diego and Orange counties, but work may be assigned in any part of the Region and occasionally statewide.
Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist/Exam Bulletin
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Office location will be at San Diego CDFW office. Telework option, per Statewide Telework Policy, may be considered.
Work hours may be 10+ hours per day, atypical hours and on weekends.
Working in temperature extremes and hiking on rugged, uneven, steep terrain is to be expected.
Up to 20 nights per 12-month period, overnight travel and camping will be required.
Possession of valid driver license, and the ability to drive up to 8-hours for 10% of the time.
Ability to safely operate a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and pull a heavy trailer are needed and included in the 10% of time driving.
Must be successful in handling high-profile, high-stress public interactions as well as interactions with the media.
Incumbent must be willing to work in remote locations and alone if necessary.
Flying in helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft is required.
Ability to lift and carry heavy and irregular items up to 40 lbs.
Must feel comfortable with potential close contact with imperiled and/or confined wild animals.
Must complete mandatory wildlife capture training and firearms training within 6 months of hire.
Must be willing and capable to competently use firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel.
Must be willing and capable to competently use and possess wildlife restraint drugs and equipment.
Must be willing to handle live animals, carcasses, and conduct simple tissue sampling and necropsies.
Must be vaccinated against rabies virus with adequate current antibody titer or willing to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations. Must track titer to stay within safe limits to handle wildlife.
Ability to use a computer keyboard in a sitting and/or standing position several hours a day.
Will interact with regional and branch staff, and members of the public via e-mail, telephone, and in-person. Must attend regular meetings.
Must be willing to wear a field uniform when in the field or in public
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-525877
Position #(s):
565-581-0762-013
Working Title:
Unit Biologist
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:
San Diego 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: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Special Requirements
Ability to work independently; to communicate and manage high stress situations in a calm, organized and professional manner; and to represent agency viewpoint without personal conflicts.
Must be willing to work atypical hours, 10+ hours per day, and on weekends. Must be willing and capable to competently use firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel. Must be willing and capable to competently use and possess wildlife restraint drugs and equipment. Must be willing to handle live animals, carcasses, and conduct simple tissue sampling and necropsies. Must be willing to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccine and track titer results. Must be able to hike on uneven, steep terrain in extreme weather conditions for long periods of time and to lead a crew in the field. Must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds.
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: 8/5/2026Who 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).
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.
Statement of Qualification must be no more that 2 pages in length, size 12 point Arial font. Please respond to the 3 prompts:
(1) Please describe your knowledge and experience in utilizing and tracking GPS collars, monitoring collared or marked animals, conducting field necropsies, and using mapping programs and statistical packages to analyze data.
(2) Please briefly describe your experience presenting information to the public, and
(3) please describe your recent experience hiking on uneven terrain in a remote area.
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:
Degree in Wildlife Management, Animal Science, or similar with emphasis on knowledge of wildlife population dynamics, limiting factors, and conservation of a population are desired qualities for this position. Experience with remote camera setup, use of GPS devices, and handheld telemetry to track animals are desired. Skills needed to handle large mammals and investigate cause of mortality and the ability to chemically immobilize wildlife are all very desired for the candidate to be successful in the position. Geolocation and geo-referencing software applications, geographic information systems, data management are additional desired skills.
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:
Jane McKeever
(858) 386-9934
Jane.McKeever@wildlife.ca.gov
Jane McKeever
(858) 386-9934
Jane.McKeever@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 565-581-0762-013 and RPA Number E-R5 NH 25-016 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.