Avian Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Environmental Assessments and Permitting Section Manager the incumbent will serve as one of the Branch's expert and lead scientists in environmental permitting, mitigation, and monitoring, and serve as the technical lead with a strong background in wildlife biology and a particular emphasis on California avian species. Incumbent will provide a broad range of scientific and regulatory compliance services in support of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) continued operation and maintenance of the State Water Project (SWP); flood protection and levee maintenance activities; and protection and restoration of the State's ecosystem. The position works collaboratively and in close coordination with the CEQA & NEPA Support Section, which ensures multi-disciplinary support amongst the Branch, Division, and Department-wide, and with federal, State, and local agencies and stakeholders.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-529268
Position #(s):
840-320-0765-002
Working Title:
Avian Specialist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) $7,820.00 - $10,732.00
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, Full Time
Facility:
Mailing Address
Department Information
Division of Integrated Science and Engineering
Environmental Services Branch
Environmental Assessments & Permitting Section
Assessments & Permitting Technical Support Unit
West Sacramento
Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California's 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 state's 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 DWR's 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 DWR's Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
Special Requirements
Incumbent must possess a valid CA State driver's license to travel to various field sites and meetings. The incumbent must be able to meet the demands of field work in terrestrial and aquatic habitats; must be able to swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat at least 10 minutes; must be able to move and transport equipment or objects weighing up to 40 pounds over rugged terrain.
Incumbent must have a strong background in wildlife biology and expert knowledge of California avian species including field surveying techniques and research. Incumbent must be highly organized and knowledgeable of federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations including: the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Clean Water Act/Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act, California Fish and Game Code and the Federal/California Endangered Species Acts (FESA/CESA). Candidates will have experience working with environmental and regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, CA Environmental Protection Agency, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards. Incumbent must have experience with GIS related software and applications, such as ArcGIS.
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: 9/4/2026
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:

• 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.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Statement of Qualifications - No more than 2-pages using Arial 12pt font. See Special Instructions for additional details.

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:
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in wildlife biology and expert knowledge of California avian species with experience specific to species in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh including experience with field surveying protocols, techniques, and research; biological and construction monitoring; GIS and database experience; and knowledge and experience with federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations including: the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Clean Water Act/Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act, California Fish and Game Code and the Federal/California Endangered Species Acts (FESA/CESA). Candidates will have experience working with environmental and regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, CA Environmental Protection Agency, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards to acquire and comply with environmental permits. Strong leadership, written, verbal, project management, disciplinary, and interpersonal communication skills are highly desirable. The ability to work well under deadlines and time constraints and work effectively and cooperatively with staff within DWR, government agencies, public and private entities is preferred.
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), Cover Letter, Resume, and Statement of Qualifications. Please reference SAP Position #50031135 and Job Control #529268 in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of your application.
The Statement of Qualifications is a narrative discussion of the knowledge, skills, and abilities an applicant possesses in relation to the desirable qualifications and duty statement of the position. The SOQ should be no more than 2-pages with Arial 12 pt font.
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. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
Click here to complete DWR's 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:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
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