Job Posting: Branch Chief - Watershed and Climate Resiliency

Department of Conservation

JC-486635
-
Branch Chief - Watershed and Climate Resiliency
C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $21,370.00 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: 8/28/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Chief Deputy of Operations and the State Geologist, the Career Executive Assignment (CEA A), will function as the Branch Chief over programs in the division’s Sacramento headquarters office. The incumbent will have direct program management responsibility of the Division’s Statewide Programs which include but are not limited to Forest and Watershed Geology, Mineral Resources, Geologic and Landslide Mapping, and Burned Watershed Geohazards Programs. The incumbent will serve as the chief over these statewide program activities and have charge of developing program priorities, strategic partnerships, new program elements, product communication and stakeholder engagement.

A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS IS REQUIRED. Please see the Desirable Qualifications section for instructions.

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

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for telework for up to three (3) days per week. The reporting location for this position is 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-486635
Position #(s):
538-105-7500-692
Working Title:
Branch Chief - Watershed and Climate Resiliency
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,349.00 - $21,370.00
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:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

With a team of scientists and other dedicated professionals, the Department of Conservation (DOC) administers a variety of programs vital to California's public safety, environment, and economy. The services DOC provides are designed to balance today's needs with tomorrow's obligations by fostering the wise use and conservation of energy, land, and mineral resources.

 

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

 

Are you interested in working for a department that oversees the operations of land conservation, mining, earthquakes and oil & gas regulations for the State of California?

Then this may be the job for you!

Department Website: http://www.conservation.ca.gov

Special Requirements

This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest (COI) Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The incumbent is required to complete form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the COI Code requirements may void the appointment.

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: 8/28/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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 Conservation
N/A
Attn:
715 P Street, MS 1806
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Conservation
N/A
715 P Street, MS 1806
Sacramento, CA 95814
Electronic applications are highly encouraged. Please call before dropping off applicaiton
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This position requires a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Applications submitted without an SOQ or an SOQ that does not answer the items/questions, and/or does not follow formatting instructions will be considered not interested in this position and will be eliminated from the selection process. Resumes and cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Please see the Desirable Qualifications section for more 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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

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:

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

**This will be the only tool used for determining your final score and rank on the eligibility list for this position** Please follow all of the instructions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion regarding how the applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the Desirable Qualifications for the position. The SOQ responses are also evaluated for writing ability. For additional information on writing an SOQ, please visit How to Write a Statement of Qualifications.

In your SOQ, address how you possess each Desirable Qualification (listed below) using specific examples of your education, training, and experience.

You must provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Each individual response must be numbered and include the full text of the numbered items prior to your response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to a maximum of three (3) pages, single-spaced with no smaller than 8 point font.

Applicants who do not follow these parameters shall be disqualified from the examination.

NOTE: Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of this SOQ requirement.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Provide your experience in leading moderate to large scientific or technical teams in meeting established priorities, goals and objectives. Please provide one example that details your level of experience in providing strong leadership in this area.

2. Describe your experience in building strong business relationships internally and externally that add value to the organization. Specifically, with organizational leadership in your company or agency, business partners, external stakeholders, and special interest groups (NGOs, tribes, Federal government).

3. Describe your professional experience that demonstrates your ability to analyze complex issues and recommend effective solutions. Specific policy experience related to climate and/or watershed systems should be highlighted.

4. Describe your experience in managing a large change within your organization. Detail your role in facilitating this change and how your leadership impacted the change for the entire organization.

5. Describe your experience in writing, reviewing, and editing scientific publications, maps, and reports.

Examination Information

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.conservation.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Tara Hirst
(916) 531-3557
tara.hirst@conservation.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:
EEO Officer
(916) 215-0955
DOC.Accessibility@conservation.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.

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