SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

State of California; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 7,800 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California, Department of Fish and Wildlife, is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to lead complex analyses and provide high-level scientific, technical, and policy expertise for California Endangered Species Act and Native Plant Protection Act matters.

The position supports emergency listings, status reviews, recovery planning, and permitting, with fieldwork, GIS analysis, and collaboration across diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting scientific research related to California's native plant species and ecosystems.
• Ability to analyze and solve difficult technical problems, and effectively present recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and in teams with diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in adverse conditions and travel to field sites up to three hours each way.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level scientific, technical, and policy expertise to support CESA and NPPA matters.
• Lead complex analyses to support emergency listings, petitions, status reviews, and recovery planning.
• Develop regulations, permits, environmental review documents, and policy recommendations.
• Utilize GIS and analytical tools to advance program objectives.

Skills

Scientific research

GIS analysis

Fieldwork

Policy analysis

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Problem solving

Driver's license

Data synthesis

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Job Posting: Native Plant Program CESA Specialist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-533581 - Native Plant Program CESA Specialist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 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: 10/8/2026

The mission of the Native Plant Program (NPP) is to champion California's botanical diversity and protect native plants from extinction in the wild. NPP coordinates statewide conservation activities for plants that are native to California and for plants designated as rare, threatened, or endangered pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) or the Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA). California hosts approximately 6,500 species, subspecies and varieties of plants that occur naturally in the state, and many of these are found nowhere else in the world.

The Native Plant Program is hiring one California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Specialist! The incumbent will work independently and as part of a team to provide high level scientific, technical, and policy expertise to support the conservation, management, and monitoring of plant species listed under the California Endangered Species Act and the Native Plant Protection Act. In this role, the incumbent will lead complex scientific analyses to support emergency listings and provisional candidate determinations under CESA, as well as CESA listing petitions, status reviews, five-year species reviews, recovery planning efforts, and scientific, educational, and management permitting. The incumbent will also support native plant conservation through a variety of Program efforts which may include collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing biological, ecological, and spatial data; developing regulations, permits, environmental review documents, and policy recommendations; and utilizing GIS and other analytical tools to advance Program objectives.

Come join us in this exciting and important plant conservation work!

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.

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.

In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.

This position may be located in the following counties: Yolo and Sacramento County.

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

Working Conditions

The position requires the use of a computer for several hours each day; the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attendance at meetings both in-person and virtually. The position may require field work. A valid California’s Driver’s license is required in order to drive to project sites and may require travel of up to three or more hours each way including overnight travel, early mornings and late nights; hiking over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain and use of an ATV; work in inclement weather. The position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff. This position is office-centered and allows for an in-office/telework hybrid work schedule and in-office attendance may change based on operational need. Currently program staff work 4 days in office with the option for one telework day. The headquarters office building is located in West Sacramento, Yolo County, with free parking.

Minimum Requirements

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: United States

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!

Experience conducting scientific research related to California's native plant species and ecosystems. Able to apply critical thinking skills to analyze and solve difficult technical problems, and effectively present recommendations and information. Demonstrated ability to act independently, work on teams, and work effectively with individuals of differing backgrounds, opinions, and skill levels. Able to conduct fieldwork in adverse weather conditions, hike over rugged terrain, and drive and travel to field sites or meetings up to three or more hours each way. Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

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

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience managing a diverse suite of projects simultaneously
• Experience with technical report writing and developing recommendations
• Knowledge or experience related to the California Endangered Species Act, California Native Plant Protection Act, Federal Endangered Species Act, and California Environmental Quality Act
• Experience partnering or working with diverse groups of interested parties and demonstrates strong interpersonal skills
• Open-minded, retains mental flexibility, and high emotional intelligence. Navigates complex and contentious issue with diplomacy and tact.

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:
Cristin Walters
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

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.

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.