Job Posting: Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-478770
-
Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid
FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID

$17.73 - $21.04 per Hour

Final Filing Date: 6/7/2025

Job Description and Duties

Do you enjoy making a difference in wildlife conservation while working outdoors, hiking, and camping?  Be essential at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), where employees are valued and come together to manage and protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and habitats, for their ecological values and public enjoyment!  Work with CDFW Wildlife Biologists to help monitor wildlife populations and habitats in beautiful locations throughout the North Central Region of California.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), incumbent will establish sampling transects and trail cameras on public and private lands throughout the North Central Region for the estimation of deer population density. Incumbent will also assist environmental scientists with wildlife field surveys, captures, field data collection, entry, and analysis, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) field use, and reporting for various Game Grant projects related primarily to large mammal and avian species management.

Incumbent should possess ability to use map, compass, and Global Positioning Systems to navigate off road, off trail, and in rough terrain. Duties include hiking long-distances off-trail and frequently camping overnight in order to establish sampling transects in a forested environment and collect deer fecal samples for DNA sequencing and mark-recapture analysis.  The use of spreadsheet software such as Excel and Access for data entry is required.  Proficient writing and verbal skills are required. Incumbent will write field notes and record data, and may collect specimens related to approved research and management. Incumbent may also assist with preparing for and conducting CDFW special hunts and run hunter check stations. Administrative duties will include completing time sheets and attendance to required training as needed. Position is primarily field-based.

The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.

• Applicants who receive public assistance under the CalWORKs program shall be given hiring priority consideration as provided in Government Code, Section 19063.

• Applicants who receive public assistance need to identify themselves as CalWORKs recipients in the comments section of the STD 678, Examination/Employment Application.

• Applicants must submit verification of CalWORKs eligibility, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility or a copy of the most recent aid check stub.

• Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program. If CalWORKs verification is not submitted with the application, it will not be processed as CalWORKs eligible.

• Participation by a public assistance recipient is voluntary and in no event shall any person be subject to sanctions, through loss of benefits or eligibility, for not applying for, accepting, or continuing in a seasonal or entry level non-testing classification opening.

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

Working Conditions

This position will be located throughout the 17-county North Central Region and possibly other parts of the state, as needed. Travel is required within the state of California via state vehicle, private or public transportation. The incumbent must be willing to work long, irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, and be able to spend multiple, consecutive nights in the field when working on field projects (commonly 3 nights a week for ~4 months of the year).  Duties may occur under a wide variety of conditions including inclement weather and requires long distance, off-trail foot access to study plots in steep/rugged terrain. This position is primarily field based but also includes office work.  This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license. Personal vehicle use may be required. Vehicle expenses and fuel will be reimbursed via monthly mileage claim. This position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff.  

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-478770
Position #(s):
565-281-0835-905
Working Title:
Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid
Classification:
FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID
$17.73 - $21.04
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Non-Tenured, Intermittent

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!

Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Efficient responsiveness to program supervisor, wildlife biologists, and scientific aid colleagues while in the field or office.  

This position requires possession of a valid Class C Driver's License. Must maintain a clean driving record. The selected candidate may be required to provide a photocopy (front and back) of the license: Name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL #, Class, expiration. 

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: 6/7/2025

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs.

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:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento, CA 95814
Please Note: Drop-off location may be non-operational on weekends and holidays.
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.
  • Other -

    A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.

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:

Special Personal Characteristics:

• Enjoy working outdoors, hiking in all types of conditions, and camping

• Possess 4 Wheel-driving capabilities and ability to endure long road-trips

• Organized, good time management and sense of geographic direction.

• Ability to work with a team and independently  

• Attention to details while assisting with wildlife and habitat surveys

• Ability to interpret scientific protocols and exercise problem solving skills in the field with limited cell coverage

 

Special Physical Characteristics:

• Ability to lift 40 pounds

• Ability to hike long distances over rough terrain while carrying a backpack several days in a row every week

 

Interpersonal Skills:

•  Ability to act professionally, be flexible and tactful

•  Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups

•  Strong skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships

Benefits

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:
Eric Kleinfelter
(209) 401-8806
Eric.Kleinfelter@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
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.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.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-281-0835-905 and RPA Number E-R2 W 24-036 to 050 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.

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.

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