Seasonal Environmental Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Department Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region Inland Fisheries and Wild Trout unit has an opening for a Limited Term Environmental Scientist. The incumbent will be part of a team of scientists working to survey high elevation aquatic habitats across California's northern nine counties and conduct restoration activities within the Trinity Alps Wilderness, Russian Wilderness and Marble Mountain Wilderness areas. This project seeks to reduce the compounding effects from drought, climate change, and invasive predators on declining native amphibians by identifying and actively managing invasive fish populations in key drought-resilient lake basins and restoring sensitive amphibians to suitable habitats within their historic range.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team in a position that provides development of expertise in fisheries and herpetology science and management, survey and study design, designing, implementing, and monitoring habitat restoration projects, data analysis utilizing statistical methods, and scientific writing. This position will require a significant commitment to backcountry work, hiking, camping, and operating 4-wheel drive vehicles in remote high mountain environments. Overnight travel, including backpacking and car camping, will be required.
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 .
In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.
Class Title: Environmental Scientist
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
This position requires indoor work at an office location and outdoor work in remote environments.
The indoor work (approximately 60%) requires the ability to use a computer and a suite of various software necessary for data storage/retrieval, analysis, and report writing. Will plan field work, coordinate with seasonal staff, attend meetings, maintain and organize project gear/equipment, and work with staff and interested parties statewide to complete work assignments.
The outdoor work (approximately 40%) requires time in a high elevation backcountry wilderness setting, in rugged terrain with hot and freezing conditions and hazardous organisms; overnight travel, including up to eight days of backpacking or car camping is required. The ability to drive a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available. Must wear a uniform when engaging with the public and conducting field work.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-530622
Position #(s):
565-141-0762-905
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:
Humboldt County
Telework:
In Office
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 Special Physical Characteristics: Physical capability and endurance to conduct fieldwork in
remote backcountry settings, ability to carry up to 40 pounds over rough terrain (backpacking) and hiking up to 10 miles per day; ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes.
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: 9/16/2026
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 (PO Box)
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
HRB Drop-Off Address (Exams)
Human Resources
715 P Street, 16th Floor Suite 300
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.
• 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.
• 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.
  Supplemental Questions is required for the hiring manager's review. Applications submitted without Supplemental Questions may be disqualified. The Supplemental Questions serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Provide responses to the following statements, not to exceed one (1) typed 8-1/2" x 11"page, using 12 point Arial font, addressing your knowledge, skills, and experience as it relates to:
  1. Please describe your experience leading field crews in a wilderness/backcountry setting and your experience with backpacking/camping.
  2. Describe your experience planning field work, collecting and analyzing environmental data, and scientific report writing.

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:
Consistently apply the best available scientific information and accurate analysis. This includes innovative solutions for difficult fisheries management problems and new methodologies and scientific application to aid Department management in policy formation and implementation. Maintains productivity for completed staff work that is commensurate with that of peers for similar work products (e.g., field collection of data, report, memo, and letter preparation; project and document reviews; administrative duties; attending meetings; and briefing management). Conducts business in a professional manner, is good at interacting with the public, and effective at achieving desired results. Effectively manages time through goal setting, prioritizations, and work planning.
A team player with good interpersonal skills. Leads by example, is professional, builds trust through honest communication and actions, strives to listen to others and understand their interests, and maintains effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, key agency personnel, interested parties, members of the media, and elected officials. Exercises a high degree of initiative and independent judgment in working on fisheries management activities.
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:
Samuel Plemons
(530) 605-8317
Samuel.Plemons@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 565-141-0762-905 and RPA Number E-R1 F 25-082 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.