ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY)

Department-of-Fish-and-Wildlif; California; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California's Salton Sea Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory) position leads a team focused on restoration and monitoring of the Salton Sea. Based in Bermuda Dunes, the role supports SSMP projects, staff development, budgeting, and regulatory analysis within a hybrid work setting.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, developing policy and planning documents, and coordinating with agencies on environmental justice, habitat, and species protection.

Responsibilities

• Directly responsible for the technical and professional development of staff, performance evaluation, program budgeting, and workforce planning for SSMP projects.
• Identify problems, develop courses of action, conduct investigations, and prepare guidance, policy, planning and regulatory documents.
• Understand ecological principles and environmental laws affecting desert habitats, aquatic ecology, and human health.

Job description

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-537671 -

JC-537671 - Salton Sea Environmental Program Manager
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY)

$12,551.00 - $15,602.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/12/2026

Does your current staff think you are the best supervisor ever? Are you ready to step into a management position? Want to be a part of an amazing team of people that are restoring desert habitat for species and human benefit? Do you like politics? If you answered yes, the Salton Sea Program may have a position for you! The Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) Salton Sea Program is seeking a highly motivated, positive and an exceptional leader to lead, manage and directly supervise the amazing CDFW Salton Sea team.

Under the general direction of the Salton Sea Program Manager (CEA), you would be directly responsible for the technical and professional development of staff, performance evaluation, program budgeting, and workforce planning for the staff engaged in operation, maintenance, and monitoring of Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) projects, participation in the Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) Implementation Team, and data collection for the SSMP Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP). You would independently identify problems, develop courses or action, conduct critical scientific investigations, prepares guidance, policy, planning, and regulatory documents, and legislative proposals and analysis. This position requires you have a broad understanding of natural resources, conservation, and environmental laws, which may include aquatic ecology, fisheries, and water quality, habitat structure affecting fish and bird health and abundance, and human health and environmental justice. This position is responsible for performing specified activities that will require a comprehensive knowledge of administrative procedures, Department policies, applicable environmental laws and ecological principles. Work in this position is characterized by highly independent development and direction. A high degree of personal initiative is expected.

You will need to have a good work ethic, positive attitude and great resilience. If you are thinking this may be the next step in your career.

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. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule depending on operational needs.

Working Conditions

Ability to use a computer keyboard for several hours each day; completed office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attend meetings and conference calls; visit project sites requiring driving vehicle, traveling up to three or more hours each way and sometimes including early mornings and late nights; occasional overnight travel up to 20% to reach some meeting or field locations; hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain at project sites for reconnaissance and biological monitoring; may include operation or being a passenger on a boat, ATV or other off road vehicles; occasional travel of two or more days per week. May have to work in variable temperature gradients, ranging from 50 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months. Areas include steep, uneven, wet, and rugged terrain within desert, upland, agricultural, riparian, and flooded pond environments. A valid California Driver’s License is required.

This position will be located out of the Bermuda Dunes Office.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY)

Classification

Classification:

$12,551.00 - $15,602.00

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY) $12,551.00 - $15,602.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions

1

Telework

Hybrid

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!

The selected candidate may be required to provide transcripts (may be unofficial).

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge and past experience working in desert environments. Specifically in California.
• Experience working with construction crews in a field setting and large restoration projects.
• Knowledge of desert pupfish, Yuma Ridgway rails, California black rails and other species related to the Salton Sea ecosystem.
• Knowledge of the human communities within the Salton Sea Ecosystem. Spanish Speaking.
• Ability to ride an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and/or have a boat license.

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

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
[phone]
[e-mail]

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

In addition to your STD. 678 application, please provide clear and concise answers to the following questions. The Statement of Qualificationanswers must be no more than two (2) pages in length, having a size 12 point Arial front with one (1) inch margins and each page should contain the title of the position and applicant name at the top. Submit your responses with your STD 678 application. Compliance with the instructions are required for position consideration.

Questions should be answered in order.

(1) This position requires knowledge of the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP), the Salton Sea ecosystem, and/or the other public agencies (CNRA and DWR) that are a part of the SSMP. Please describe your experience as it relates to these three topics.

(2) This position requires communicating and interacting with a diverse group of people including Department staff, the Salton Sea Management team, the public, various nongovernmental organizations, tribes and other state and local agencies. Please describe your experience working cooperatively with diverse groups or teams.

(3) This position supervises supervisors. Please describe your management/supervisory style and why you believe it would complement the Salton Sea Program.

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.