Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The California Coastal Commission is seeking an experienced Environmental Scientist or Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to join its Ecology Team (Technical Services Unit) at its Headquarters Office in downtown San Francisco. This position will primarily focus on the relationship between wildfire and coastal ecology as relates to vegetation management for fuel reduction, ecological restoration, and resilience work across a range of ecosystems, including forests, shrublands, grasslands and wetlands throughout the coastal zone, which extends inland from the shoreline at variable distances up to more than five miles in some areas.
The Commission is a small State agency that is charged with protecting coastal resources and managing coastal development in California. The Commission's mission is to implement the Coastal Act and to protect, restore, and enhance coastal and marine resources for the continuing benefit of current and future generations. It carries out this mandate through regulatory and planning actions related to development within offshore waters and on land along the California coast. The Commission also has authority under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act to review federal and federally-permitted activities such as dredging, military training exercises, wildland management, and highway projects that affect resources of the coastal zone.
The Ecology Team generally supports the Commission and its staff with technical review and analysis of potential effects on the coast's sensitive natural resources associated with proposed development projects. Under the direction of the Ecology Team Manager, the successful incumbent will be integrated into the existing team of five ecologists and work with Commission staff to address ecological issues raised in the Commission's policy, planning, and regulatory work as relates to wildfire resilience and risk reduction efforts. This work will focus on understanding and addressing the ecological effects of vegetation management for fuel reduction and wildfire resilience, including through ecological restoration, throughout the coastal zone. It will necessitate cooperation with other scientific and technical teams such as Mapping and Water Quality, coordination with the Commission's Statewide Planning Unit, and provision of scientific support to staff and the Commission. Duties will be adjusted commensurately to the level at which the position is filled. Generally, the incumbent will be expected to: review and analyze a variety of technical reports including CEQA/NEPA documents, technical surveys and memoranda, restoration and mitigation plans, and scientific literature; conduct research and investigations often involving complex environmental conditions and circumstances; identify problems including potential adverse impacts to coastal resources and means to avoid and minimize these; factor in climate change dynamics relative to environmental considerations; coordinate with other federal, state, and local agencies; and, make recommendations for conformance with the natural resource policies of the Coastal Act and relevant certified plans.
Key functions of the job include: analyzing proposed fire resilience and risk reduction work for consistency with applicable Coastal Act policies; tracking topical scientific literature including white papers and peer-reviewed publications; guiding related policy based on scientific understanding of the issues and existing frameworks; developing recommendations on how to avoid and minimize adverse impacts to native habitat (including for communities and species) associated with fuel reduction and vegetation management efforts across the landscape while advancing ecological resilience; contributing to the development of recommendations for Commission regulatory action, including staff reports, permit conditions, and planning documents; communicating with project proponents; updating and maintaining a spatial database of authorized fire resilience and risk reduction work and conducting geospatial analyses; reviewing monitoring and mitigation plans and reports; participating in site visits and inspections to evaluate on-the-ground ecological conditions; writing technical memoranda to support and accompany staff reports and recommendations; and providing technical presentations at public meetings. The incumbent may also represent the Commission staff on multi-agency work groups, task forces, and similar entities; and coordinate with staff of local, state, and federal agencies; the legislature; stakeholder groups; and the broader public.
The position offers considerable opportunity for developing and contributing expertise on a range of ecosystems as well as relevant and emerging issues related to coastal ecology and wildfire resilience in California's coastal landscape.
This position is Limited-Term (the appointment may be extended and/or may become permanent). Though the position is being listed under both classifications; only one position will be filled, as consistent with the qualifications of the selected individual.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
The California Coastal Commission's Headquarters is located in downtown San Francisco. The employee will work Monday through Friday. Telework is available for this position in accordance with the California Coastal Commission's Telework Policy and Procedures. Effective July 1, 2026, the implementation of a default minimum of four in-person days per week is a statewide requirement for agencies and departments, consistent with Executive Order N-22-25 and guidance released by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). The telework and hybrid work policies are subject to change at any time.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-529847
Position #(s):
348-101-0765-XXX
Working Title:
Fire & Landscape Ecologist
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.
Shall Consider:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A
$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B
$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Department Information
The California Coastal Commission is a small state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean resources. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.
The California Coastal Commission values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission of protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean for present and future generations.
District offices are located in Arcata, San Francisco (Headquarters), Santa Cruz, Ventura, Long Beach, and San Diego, and a small legislative office is based in Sacramento.
Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
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: 9/24/2026
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:
CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco , CA 94105
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco , CA 94105
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.
• Other - Three professional references.
• Other - Copy of Transcripts/Diploma(s)/Certification(s).
• Other - Cover letter.
• Other - Brief technical writing sample (5 pages or less).

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:

• Experience and/or expertise in fire ecology; landscape ecology; coastal botany including sensitive vegetation communities; vegetation management practices and policies; geospatial fluency and ability to perform analyses using large datasets, aerial imagery, and applications; forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands and riparian habitats; traditional ecological knowledge, including the use of cultural fire; and, familiarity with climate resilience and adaptation efforts including nature-based adaptation and habitat restoration practices.
• Knowledge of land use planning and regulatory processes, including under the California Coastal Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, CEQA, the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP), Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act, and California Forest Practice Rules.
• Demonstrated skill in research and interpretation of complex environmental data; quantitative analyses including statistics and/or modeling with geospatial tools; evaluation of alternative approaches and defensible policy positions; proactive problem-solving, negotiation, and collaboration; excellent communication including verbal and written methods; and, navigating complex issues with awareness of resource conflicts and policy requirements.
• Educational background in ecology (e.g., fire, landscape), plant or wildlife biology, forestry, fire science, climate science, conservation or environmental science, resource management, or closely related fields. The preferred candidate will have a Master's degree or a PhD in a relevant field.

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.coastal.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lauren Garske-Garcia
(415) 729-1356
lauren.garske-garcia@coastal.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:
Ashley Reineman
(805) 585-1800
humanresources@coastal.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.
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 or