ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY)

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE seeks an Environmental Science Program Lead within the Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. The role supervises scientific staff and contractors, oversees contracts and grants, and advances forest health and wildfire science in California.

This permanent, full-time position offers a hybrid telework option with mandatory travel up to 10%, requires residency in California at appointment, and reports to the Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory) classification.

Qualifications

• Experience as a program lead for scientific forestry or environmental projects.
• Proven ability to manage contracts, grants and recruiting science positions.
• Strong background in applying research to forest health and wildfire management.

Skills

Program leadership

Grants management

Staff supervision

Job description

Job Posting:Environmental Science Program Lead

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-533667 -

JC-533667 - Environmental Science Program Lead
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: 10/23/2026

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V

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: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

• The position may require travel up to 10% of the time. This travel may be local or statewide and may result in overnight stays.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid telework option, in accordance with CAL FIRE’s telework policy, and will be required to report to the office as needed/required. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.
  

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY)

$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

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Special Requirements

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.

1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon 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. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER I (SUPERVISORY) classification specifications.

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:

• Past research experience in complex natural resource science and management domains as reflected in reports, presentations, scientific papers and other materials (e.g., digital code and supporting documentation or reports/user guides for explanatory and/or predictive models relevant to natural resource status and dynamics, inclusive of management policy implications.
• Knowledge and experience with managing scientific grants and contracts is desirable for the position.

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.

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
[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

Environmental Program Manager I (Supervisory)

Instructions: Please provide answers to reflect your qualifications for this position. Answers for the three statements should total no more than 2 pages using no smaller than an 11 pt font and single spacing. A list of publications and relevant documentation materials are not subject to the 2-page limit.

Name:

1. Describe your experience in serving as a program lead for a scientific program involving forest health, wildfire, or related environmental issues. Describe your role and experience in overseeing work conducted by scientific staff or consultants. Include experience in managing contracts, grants, and recruitment of science positions. Discuss any key elements that lead to a successful project and research team.

2. Describe your experience in developing research and monitoring projects for forestry or other natural resources applications. Be specific about the goals of the research, experimental design, and related research objectives. List any publications, reports, or presentations resulting from the research, as well as any unique insights the projects provided to you as a scientist working in the realm of applied land-management.

3. Describe how you would approach providing scientific information to support policy decisions being made by executive staff in a briefing. If possible, provide specific examples where you were asked to do so. Also, consider how you would respond if asked to make recommendations with limited information or high levels of scientific uncertainty.

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.