SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California is seeking a highly capable leader to head the Smelt Team within the State Water Project Permitting Program. This Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) role focuses on implementing federal and state endangered species acts for major water projects in the Central Valley and Delta region.

The position requires strong leadership, a fisheries biology background, and experience with the California Endangered Species Act.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills and a background in fisheries biology and the California Endangered Species Act.
• Lead the Smelt Team within CDFW's State Water Project Permitting Program and oversee compliance with endangered species acts.
• Collaborate with state, federal, academic colleagues on monitoring, study, and mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of federal and state endangered species acts for CVP, SWP, and DCP.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to review scientific and administrative aspects of water project operations.
• Lead development of monitoring, minimization, and mitigation concepts for Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt.

Skills

Leadership

Fisheries biology

Policy coordination

Team supervision

Job description

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00 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: 11/2/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Delta Smelt and Longfin smelt are unique fishes of the San Francisco Estuary and have recently declined to their lowest population levels since monitoring began over 60 years ago. These species sit at the center of California's water management challenges, where the goal is to balance human water needs with the ecological needs of native fish. To better manage and protect these species, a highly skilled team of multi-disciplinary scientists collaborates across agencies to improve our understanding of Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt life history, identify key stressors, and develop creative strategies to minimize and mitigate impacts associated with freshwater exports.

This position offers a unique opportunity for an individual with strong leadership skills and a background in fisheries biology and the California Endangered Species Act to lead the Smelt Team within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's State Water Project Permitting Program. The Smelt Team Supervisor will oversee implementation of, and compliance with, the federal and state endangered species acts for the Central Valley Project (CVP), State Water Project (SWP), and the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). They will collaborate with State, federal, academic, and/or colleagues to implement and review the scientific and administrative aspects of water project operations, covered species monitoring, scientific study, and mitigation. The Smelt Team Supervisor will also lead the team in developing novel monitoring, minimization, and mitigation concepts for Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt and propose them to Water Branch management for implementation.

The mission of the State Water Project Permitting Unit is to develop and implement novel, science-based solutions to conflicts between water supply and ecosystem management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and tributaries. We will consistently provide clear, creative, and feasible solutions to conserve and adaptively manage imperiled species and ecosystems impacted by joint operations of the State and federal water projects. We will do this by developing our own scientific expertise and encouraging outside-the-box thinking in a collaborative, open, respectful, and candid setting.

Job Description and Duties

Delta Smelt and Longfin smelt are unique fishes of the San Francisco Estuary and have recently declined to their lowest population levels since monitoring began over 60 years ago. These species sit at the center of California's water management challenges, where the goal is to balance human water needs with the ecological needs of native fish. To better manage and protect these species, a highly skilled team of multi-disciplinary scientists collaborates across agencies to improve our understanding of Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt life history, identify key stressors, and develop creative strategies to minimize and mitigate impacts associated with freshwater exports.

This position offers a unique opportunity for an individual with strong leadership skills and a background in fisheries biology and the California Endangered Species Act to lead the Smelt Team within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's State Water Project Permitting Program. The Smelt Team Supervisor will oversee implementation of, and compliance with, the federal and state endangered species acts for the Central Valley Project (CVP), State Water Project (SWP), and the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). They will collaborate with State, federal, academic, and/or colleagues to implement and review the scientific and administrative aspects of water project operations, covered species monitoring, scientific study, and mitigation. The Smelt Team Supervisor will also lead the team in developing novel monitoring, minimization, and mitigation concepts for Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt and propose them to Water Branch management for implementation.

The mission of the State Water Project Permitting Unit is to develop and implement novel, science-based solutions to conflicts between water supply and ecosystem management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and tributaries. We will consistently provide clear, creative, and feasible solutions to conserve and adaptively manage imperiled species and ecosystems impacted by joint operations of the State and federal water projects. We will do this by developing our own scientific expertise and encouraging outside-the-box thinking in a collaborative, open, respectful, and candid setting.

Working Conditions

This position is office based and requires the ability to use a computer keyboard several hours a day. Involves sitting for most of the time and walking or standing for brief periods. Attend meetings and workgroups in person and via conference call and Microsoft Teams, work with state and federal agency staff and various stakeholders. Field work may be required; the position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff. Attend meetings and work with staff statewide to complete work assignments. Scheduling or attending meetings and coordination efforts will prioritize in-person over virtual options. Occasional travel may be required; less than 5%.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY) $10,854.00 - $13,493.00 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

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).

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

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:

Ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact. Good organizational skills, leadership, and initiative. Consistently applies the best available scientific information and conducts accurate analysis. Effectively manages time through goal setting, prioritization, and work planning. Maintains effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, agency personnel, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to be dependable and a problem solver. Experience with California Central Valley fish species, with a focus on salmon, and ecosystems within the Bay-Delta watershed.

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.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-038-0764-015 and RPA Number E-WATER 26-003 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.