Job Posting: Landscape Ecologist

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-485595
-
Landscape Ecologist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,556.00 - $10,221.00 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: 8/12/2025

Job Description and Duties

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

 

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

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

Working Conditions

  • 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
  • The incumbent must be absent of any medical condition which would preclude the safe and efficient performance of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist). Persons unsuccessful in the required medical exam cannot be appointed.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-485595
Position #(s):
541-780-0765-002
Working Title:
Landscape Ecologist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,556.00 - $10,221.00
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:
Sacramento County
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 12,000 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

  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
  • Possession of a bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline. (Admission to a masters or doctoral degree program in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline shall be considered to meet these education qualifications.)

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 Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) classification specifications.

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: 8/12/2025

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 Forestry & Fire Protection
N/A
Attn: Classification and Pay - Personnel Technician
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
N/A
Classification and Hiring - Personnel Technician
710 Riverpoint Court, Suite 250
West Sacramento, CA 95605
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.
  • Degree and/or School Transcripts
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.
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:
  • Subject Matter Expert in one of the following natural resource areas is preferred: Water resources, Rangeland ecology and management, Wildlife habitat/ecology, or Forest and Fire ecology.
  • Experience in remote sensing, data modeling and scripting, landscape ecology, forestry, wildlife, range management or other natural resources experience.
  • Experience writing scientific reports or manuscripts.
  • Familiarity with climate models and their application to vegetation dynamics.
  • Familiarity with one or more commonly used scripting languages to support data analysis.

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.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Jamie Lydersen
(916) 539-1884
jamie.lydersen@fire.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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.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.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Statement of Qualifications – Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Please provide written answers to the following questions. The response should be concise and not exceed two pages in length (12-point font and single-spaced preferred format). The response should incorporate the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and experience that are relevant to the position.


1. Describe your experience in serving as a project lead or collaborator involving data analysis to assess status/trends related to ecosystem health, wildfire, or related environmental issues. Describe your role on the project. Discuss any key elements that you felt make the project successful. List any publications or reports generated from projects described.

2. Describe your academic and work experience in using Remote Sensing, aerial, or ground-based data collection systems to evaluate ecosystem condition to assess spatial variability or compare conditions pre- and post-disturbance (e.g., management actions, wildfire, insects, and/or climate impacts). Include any experience in selecting and managing datasets and analytical methods to be used. Be specific about types of software, tools and data sources used.

3. Describe your experience working on inter-agency committees or planning teams. Describe approaches used to provide scientific information or technical guidance to support project planning or policy decisions. If possible, include an example that demonstrates your effectiveness in communication and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to meet operational and/or research needs. Include any experience presenting research findings to interested parties.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Filing a job application “within the time” shall mean: applications must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or depositing with a parcel delivery or courier service no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement, provided that the parcel contains proof of a timely deposit with the parcel delivery or courier service or

- Date stamped at the appropriate office of the appointing power no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement

or

- Electronically transmitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the final filing date specified on the job vacancy announcement.

For the purposes of determining whether an application has been filed within the time as set forth above, any dates printed on mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology shall not be considered postmarks and, as such, are not acceptable proof of the date the application was filed.

A completed State Application (STD. 678), a Resume, and any other relevant documents (e.g. transcript copies, copies of degree(s), cover letter, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareer Account, by U.S. mail, or by dropping your application package off. Both addresses are listed in this Job Advertisement.

Please reference Job Control 485595 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section on the STD. 678. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please note you can only apply for one Job Control per application submission.

Candidate may be selected by Resume Review.

Temporary Appointments (TAU) may be considered if conditions warrant. TAU may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. TAU may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent or limited-term appointment.

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

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