Full Time Naturalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $111,456.00 - $135,480.00 Annually
Location : Mokelumne, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-080
Department: Natural Resources Dept
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/10/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
The Position
The Senior Ranger/Naturalist is a working lead position that performs general work and maintenance related to the operation, development, and conservation of the East Bay Municipal Utility District's (EBMUD's) watersheds, fisheries and wildlife, and outdoor recreation properties. Working together with Ranger/Naturalist staff, the Senior Ranger/Naturalist prioritizes, schedules, delegates, assigns, directs and reviews the work of Rangers, Attendants, work crews, contractors, and others; as well as overseeing and managing various programs. Responsibilities of this position do NOT include law enforcement duties.
The list generated from this recruitment will be used to fill any Senior Ranger/Naturalist vacancies that may occur in the next 12-24 months. Positions exist in the Orinda, Lafayette and the Mokelumne areas. There is currently one (1) immediate vacancy in the Mokelumne location.
Duties of the Senior Ranger/Naturalist position include:
Maintenance
Works with and acts as a lead in performing general watershed and recreation management duties including range management, fence construction and repair, fire suppression, fire fuel mitigation, fuel break construction, park operations and maintenance, erosion control, trail maintenance and construction, forestry, felling diseased or dangerous trees, sign installation, landscaping, integrated pest management including chemical applications, developing/modifying park rules and regulations, and other related functions.
Lead
• Prioritizes, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of others in the construction, maintenance and operation of watershed and recreational facilities.
• Evaluates, interprets, and enforces recreation rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Assists Supervisor with scheduling and staff assignments.
• Prioritizes projects, creates daily work assignments for staff, equitably divides workloads, assists with the scheduling and maintenance of required staff training such as CPR/First Aid, fire, IPM, and hazmat,
• Trains and orients new employees.
• Prepares, reviews, analyzes, and recommends actions on routine and specialized documents including leases, incident reports, watershed entry permits, daily and weekly tally sheets, purchase orders, reconciliation of products received, receipts and payments, monthly dam inspection reports, and other related functions.
Administrative
• Monitors agreements with local fire and law enforcement agencies, cooperates with fire inspection and prevention programs.
• Maintains accurate records.
• Enters data into automated or computerized work management systems.
• Assists with long range planning activities.
• Assists with processing new watershed use requests including CEQA issues.
• Administers billing for leases.
• Assists with the development of plans associated with various programs.
Emergency Response
• Wildland fire suppression.
• Responds to medical, safety, water, and other emergencies within the watershed and recreation areas.
• Assists and cooperates with law enforcement and other agencies during routine operations and emergencies.
Public Contact
• Answers visitor inquiries, interprets and explains natural and historic features of the area, conducts tours, assures adherence to rules and regulations, and calls for law enforcement assistance when necessary.
• Instructs visitors in safe boating practices, directs and performs search and rescue duties, and administers first aid
Working conditions include a field environment; working closely with the public, Ranger/Naturalists, District staff, and contractors; wearing uniforms; exposure to inclement weather conditions where fire, insects, plants, and animals are potential hazards.
The salary range is $9,288 per month increasing to $9,752, $10,240, $10,752 and $11,290 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.
EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.
Requirements
1. Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent.
2. Two years' experience in maintenance and operations work in recreation, fisheries and wildlife, or range and forestry at a level equivalent to or higher than an EBMUD Ranger/Naturalist II.
3. Must possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job, including sufficient swimming ability for self-preservation and for learning and performing lifesaving techniques, take boats out of water and drag fire hose up a hill.
4. Duties may require maintaining a physical condition necessary for standing, walking, bending, and swimming for prolonged periods of time; and moderate to heavy lifting.
5. Willingness to work shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime and to wear uniforms.
6. Willingness to work exposed to adverse weather conditions and where fire, insects, plants and animals are potential hazards.
7. First Aid and CPR certification.
8. California driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the "equivalent combination of education and experience" provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.
The Selection Process
1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.
2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
3. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a work capacity test, expected to be held in mid-August at EBMUD's Mokelumne Recreation Area. Please see "WORK CAPACITY 'FIELD' or 'PACK' TEST" below.
4. Those passing the work capacity test will be invited to a panel interview, which may include a work sample project to further evaluate job-related knowledge, skills and abilities and to rank candidates for further consideration.
5. Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.
6. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
7. All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.
WORK CAPACITY "FIELD" or "PACK" TEST
Testing: The work capacity test portion of the performance test will consist of walking two miles in 30 minutes on a level surface while wearing a 25-lb. pack carried over your shoulders/on your back. No jogging or running will be permitted. The work capacity test is pass/fail only. A weighted vest will be provided.
Background: The goals of passing this work capacity test are to better protect the firefighter's personal safety and health, to protect co-workers' safety and to improve the firefighting operation and function. Therefore, the work capacity test is intentionally stressful and passing it a good indication of minimum fitness in the areas of aerobic capacity, muscular strength and muscular endurance.
Preparation: We recommend consulting a physician before substantially increasing your level of activity or beginning to train for this test. This is especially important if you are over 40; have been inactive; have a history of a heart condition, chest pain or loss of balance; and/or have a joint or bone problem that could be made worse by a change in physical activity. Applicants are strongly urged to train for moderate-level work capacity at least four weeks before taking the work capacity test.
Once you have been cleared to begin training, you will need: adequate footwear, comfortable clothing, a 25-lb. backpack and an accurately measured, safe and level course. Training should start by walking short distances without a pack, gradually increasing distance and carrying weight up to the required pace (2 miles in 30 minutes) and weight (25-lb. backpack).
Supplemental Information
As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed. Should you respond with comments such as "see application" or "see resume" instead of addressing the questions directly, your application may not be considered.
Responses to questions 1-10 indicate your ability and/or willingness to perform important and ongoing aspects of this position. Questions 11-14 cover a range of work experience and responsibilities. Generally, the greater the variety and/or complexity of duties and level of responsibility, the better your score.
Our excellent benefits package includes:

• 12 days paid vacation; 16 holidays; 13 days paid sick leave;
• Family health insurance (choice of Kaiser fully paid or Sutter Health Plus or Anthem Blue Cross 85% paid);
• Fully paid family dental and vision care plans; life insurance; long-term disability insurance;
• EBMUD Retirement Plan (reciprocal with CalPERS);
• $1,000/yr. contributed to flexible spending account or cash;
• $145/mo. public transit subsidy;
• 401(k), 401(a) and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans; Roth 401(k);
• $3,500/yr. tuition reimbursement;
• And opportunities for professional growth including training and career development.

01
Do you have sufficient swimming ability for self-preservation?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have sufficient swimming ability for learning and performing lifesaving techniques?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have sufficient physical strength and agility to take boats out of the water?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have sufficient physical strength and agility to drag a charged fire hose up a hill?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you willing to wear uniforms? (e.g., daily, hazmat suit, firefighting gear, etc.)

• Yes
• No

06
Are you willing to be exposed to adverse weather conditions?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you willing to be exposed to fire, insects, plants, animals, and other potential hazards?

• Yes
• No

08
Are you willing to work shifts, weekends, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

09
Are you willing to work overtime as needed?

• Yes
• No

10
Describe your experience performing, leading, assigning, directing and/or reviewing the work of a group performing operations and maintenance work in a recreation, fisheries, wildlife, range, forestry, and/or other related fields.
11
Describe your emergency response experience (e.g., wildland fire fighting, medical emergencies, search and rescue, working with law enforcement, and other relevant experience).
12
Describe your experience keeping records, preparing and obtaining permits from outside agencies, preparing written reports, and documenting incidents.
13
Describe your experience managing specific programs including watershed, recreation, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, and public safety. (e.g. leases, hazard tree programs, range management, or other related fields.)
14
Describe your experience answering visitor inquiries, interpreting and explaining natural and historic features, conducting tours, and applying rules and regulations in a recreation, fisheries, wildlife, range, forestry, or other related field(s).
Required Question