Job Posting: Fisheries Ecologist

Department of Water Resources

JC-478851
-
Fisheries Ecologist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,269.00 - $8,877.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 6/6/2025

Job Description and Duties

This position offers an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be part of a team of professional scientists in the Aquatic Ecology Unit (AEU) and the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP). AEU conducts field studies related to fisheries and aquatic ecology in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The incumbent is responsible for the collection of fisheries, invertebrate, water quality, and other ecological data for the Yolo Bypass Fish Monitoring Program, special studies, or other long-term IEP monitoring programs. The incumbent should have a background in aquatic ecology, field studies, equipment management, reporting writing, contract or budget management, and statistical analysis. The incumbent will communicate and share research findings by authoring technical reports and/or peer-reviewed articles in relevant journals and giving oral/ poster presentations at pertinent scientific conferences. The incumbent will represent AEU at relevant DWR and interagency project work teams.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-478851
Position #(s):
840-360-0762-018
Working Title:
Fisheries Ecologist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,269.00 - $5,748.00 A
$5,188.00 - $7,000.00 B
$6,566.00 - $8,877.00 C
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Yolo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Integrated Science and Engineering

Ecosystem Monitoring, Research, and Reporting Branch

Estuarine Science and Monitoring Section

Aquatic Ecology Unit

West Sacramento

 

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature.  We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department.  Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect.  An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov.

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.

 

 

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid driver’s license is required for field work. Field sampling may require traversing uneven terrain and boat activities in rugged outdoor environments and inclement weather. Field sampling may occur on weekends and at night. The incumbent must be able to swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat for at least 10 minutes with assistance of a personal floatation device, work on boats without severe incapacitation due to seasickness, and transport equipment up to 50 pounds, with assistance.

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: 6/6/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

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 Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Statement of Qualifications- See special instructions
  • Other - Cover letter
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:


The ideal candidate will have strong field and lab experience in environmental data collection, aquatic ecology, water quality, and native species handling, with a commitment to safety. They should demonstrate leadership in coordinating ecological field efforts, managing diverse teams, and overseeing complex scientific projects. A collaborative mindset, basic statistical skills, and experience in study design, data analysis, and scientific writing are essential. Effective communication with varied audiences, along with experience in budgeting, purchasing, and contract management, round out this well-qualified professional profile.


Benefits

DWR employees are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

 

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

 

Flexible Work Hours

Free Parking

Telework Opportunities

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits

Paid Sick & Vacation

Retirement

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) & 457 plans

Student Loan Forgiveness

Long Term Care

Group Legal Services

 

We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

 

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

 

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Rikki Metcalf
(916) 701-7663
DISE_HR@water.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
weo@water.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.

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and Statement of Qualifications.  Please reference SAP Position #50002777 and Job Control #478851 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

 

The Statement of Qualifications (SoQ) should reference the duty statement for this position and discuss school or work experience related to the development, organization and implementation of scientific studies. Include experience related to the analysis of ecological or biological data. The SoQ should be in paragraph form, no more than two pages in length, using 12-point Arial font, and 1” margins.

 

The following basis of eligibility will be considered:  List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

 

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

 

Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

 

Examination/Assessment

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.

 
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

 

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:


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
Print Job