Temporary Environmental Scientist Graduate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you passionate about using best science to inform wildlife management?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Upland Game Unit is seeking a motivated individual to work as an Environmental Scientist in the Wildlife Branch headquarters located in West Sacramento.
Under the general supervision of the Upland Game and Waterfowl Units Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, the Environmental Scientist will provide subject matter expertise in designing and implementing monitoring protocols to address data gaps in upland bird ecology; assess upland game populations and develop adaptive management strategies; analyze harvest data to inform management frameworks; write reports and provide presentations on the status of upland game monitoring efforts and upland game bird populations to staff, partners, and the public; coordinate technical transfer of upland game bird monitoring protocols, data management, and analyses that support management recommendations; improve accessibility to upland game data and design outreach materials and user-friendly tools for the public; and develop tools and workflows to improve data collection, processing, visualization, and delivery.
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.
Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist / Exam Bulletin
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Ability to use a computer and standard word processing software. Ability to drive a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, ATV and hike cross-country to remote survey sites in rugged terrain, hot and freezing conditions, subject to biting insects, and some overnight camping. Attend meetings; work with staff statewide to complete work assignments. Overnight travel may be required and will not exceed 5% of time performing duties.
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-526531
Position #(s):
565-035-0762-036
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:
Yolo County
Telework:
In Office
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 Incumbent must possess good communication skills, get along well with others and work in small groups for extended periods of time. Incumbent is also required to drive a state-owned vehicle to transport equipment and samples and conduct field work throughout the State. Incumbent must have the physical ability to elevate objects up to 40 pounds in weight and to hike up to three miles to access field sites. Incumbent is expected to interact with the public and maintain a high level of professional integrity. Incumbent shows willingness to: work irregular hours including weekends and holidays, do routine work in order to learn, develop interest in and aptitude for the work, and wear a uniform.
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: 8/27/2026
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
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.
• 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.

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 processing autonomous recording unit data
Expertise in R Shiny
Familiarity with statistical methods and experience performing ecological models
Experience presenting in professional venues
Experience contributing to peer-reviewed scientific literature
Knowledge of public datasets (for example: eBird, Rangeland Analysis Platform)
Ability to identify birds visually and aurally
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:
Cali Roth
(916) 207-4957
Cali.Roth@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.
Statement 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.
Please answer the following questions. Statement of qualification must be no more than one page in length, size 12 point Arial font.
1.) An important component of this position is being able to accurately and efficiently assess upland game populations. Describe your experience with different monitoring techniques for upland game. If applicable, describe your specific experience with autonomous recording units.
2.) Part of the duties of this position require processing large quantities of data as well as working with large spatial data files. Describe your experience managing and processing large datasets. If applicable, describe your experience working with spatial data.
3.) In this position, you will be providing technical expertise to inform management plans as well as making our work accessible and understandable to the public. Describe your experience providing technical guidance that directly informed a management application.
Filing Instructions
You must reference Position Number 565-035-0762-036 and RPA Number E-WLB 25-042 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.