Natural Resources Agency

Environmental Scientist - Biodiversity program manager / Ocean Protection Council / California Natural Resources Agency
The reporting location for this position is Sacramento, CA. This position will work under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory).
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring an Environmental Scientist to help advance efforts to conserve coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity in California. This includes conserving 30 percent of California's coastal waters by 2030, adaptively managing California's marine protected area network, improving coordination of coastal, marine, and estuarine monitoring and data management, and strengthening conservation at California's land-sea interface.
The Environmental Scientist will be responsible for collaborating with other OPC staff, state and federal regulatory agencies, California Native American tribes, academic scientists, non-profits, community representatives, and others to advance OPC's strategic priorities related to coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity. The Environmental Scientist will also be responsible for grant and contract management including developing scopes of work and budgets, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with grantees. Overall, this role will be responsible for supporting implementation of OPC's mission and California Natural Resources Agency's (CNRA) policy initiatives, which include embedding equity and environmental justice into programs and actions to support statewide efforts to enhance, protect, and restore biodiversity.
Applicants should have a strong scientific background, working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues and stakeholders in California, and experience working on projects and/or research related to coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity in California or elsewhere. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to become proficient in new and emerging topics, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks are a must. Specific knowledge and experience related to coastal and/or marine protection or restoration, biological and environmental monitoring, the land-sea interface, and data management is preferred. Experience working with the state's natural resource management agencies is beneficial, but not required.
Training and Development Assignments may be considered.
For further information regarding this position, please contact Michael Esgro at (916) 653-5656 or at Michael.Esgro@resources.ca.gov
CNRA values diverse employees working together, and prioritizes an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. https://resources.ca.gov/
Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.
Note: New to the State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
This position is categorized as Office-Centered . This position is Sacramento-based and required to be in office 4 days per week. In limited circumstances, the position incumbent can telework with a management approved telework agreement and schedule. Satisfactory job performance is required to maintain a teleworking agreement.
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. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
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-530935
Position #(s):
534-001-0762-020
Working Title:
BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM MANAGER
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is a state cabinet-level agency in the government of California. Through its 40 departments, conservancies, boards, commissions, councils, and museums, the California Natural Resources Agency is responsible for protecting historical, natural, and cultural sites, monitoring and controlling state lands and waterways, and regulating fish and game use.
The current Secretary for the California Natural Resources is Wade Crowfoot, and he serves as a member of Governor Gavin Newsom's cabinet.
Home to over 25,000 employes, our Agency protects, manages, and restores the state's environment and its vast natural, cultural, and historical resources. We advance this work with science as our foundation and inclusion and collaboration as our guiding principles.
Mission statement: To restore, protect and manage the state's natural, historical, and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration, and respect for all the communities and interests involved. We are on a mission to help all Californians and nature thrive together.
Special Requirements
All job applicants must provide their employment history on the State Application STD 678.
• "To" and "From" dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State experience should list the department and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position.
Transcripts
If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here.
Personal Identifying Information
Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any personally identifying information.
The Minimum qualifications can be found in Environmental Scientist classification specifications.
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). 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:
Natural Resources Agency
California Natural Resources Agency
Attn: CNRA HR 20th Floor
715 P Street
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Natural Resources Agency
California Natural Resources Agency
CNRA HR 20th Floor
715 P Street
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 and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.

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:

• Strong scientific and policy background.

• Working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues and stakeholders in California.

• Experience working on projects, research, developing and/or analyzing regulations, policy, or legislation related to coastal, marine, estuarine ecology and/or biodiversity in California or elsewhere.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks.

Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
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. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. 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:
Michael Esgro
(916) 653-5656
Michael.Esgro@resources.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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 894-9567
Genavina.Mabary@fire.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 of Qualifications
The following items are required to be submitted with you application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Supplemental questionnaire must be no more than one page in length per question, single-spaced, size 12-point Arial font.
Provide responses to the following questions:

Describe your scientific and/or management experience working on issues related to coastal, marine, and/or estuarine biodiversity, including restoration, monitoring, and/or data management and visualization, in California or elsewhere.

Describe your experience analyzing and communicating complex scientific issues for a range of audiences, such as high-level decision-makers or members of the public. Include relevant technical experience and proficiencies, such as, but not limited to, geographic information science (GIS) or other data synthesis tools used to communicate or visualize large data sets and complex scientific topics for a non-technical audience.

Describe your experience working with diverse partner