Job Posting: Data Scientist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-488307
-
Data Scientist
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: 8/27/2025

Job Description and Duties

Would you like to influence water management in California to protect aquatic species and provide ecosystem benefits? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Water Branch - Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) has an opportunity to work in a fast paced environment on some of the State's highest profile water infrastructure projects. The Department is seeking a highly motivated aquatic ecologist/quantitative ecologist to join our Water Branch team in a position that provides the opportunity for rapid professional growth and the development of expertise in: applied fisheries science and management; applied data analysis and modeling; water policy and management; wetland restoration and enhancement; and environmental regulation.

This position will work closely with other program scientists in Water Branch to develop novel approaches through analyses; research; synthesis of diverse, multi-disciplinary data sets; time series analyses; and data modeling to inform public ecosystem benefits for WSIP. This position will also collaborate with other agency scientists, outside experts, stakeholders, and consultants on implementation and adaptive management of long-term water operations to ensure WSIP benefits are achieved.

If you think you might be interested in pursuing this unique opportunity with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, do not hesitate to reach out to ask questions about this position. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.

 

Class Title: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

This position is posted in the following counties: Sacramento and Yolo. You only need to apply to one county.

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

Working Conditions

The position requires the use of a computer and Microsoft Office software up to eight hours each day; the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; and attendance at meetings and participation in conference or video calls. Occasional travel may be required within the state of California via private or public transportation (i.e. automobile, airplane, etc.), and may include overnight stay. A valid California’s driver’s license is required to drive to meetings and field sites. Field work may be required, and the position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-488307
Position #(s):
565-038-0765-044
Working Title:
Data Scientist
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:
Yolo County
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!

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

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: 8/27/2025

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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 (PO Box)
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
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.

  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.

    The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be no more than two pages in length, single spaced, and size 12 point Arial font. Please include name, position number and RPA announcement number in the heading of the SOQ.

    1. Describe your specific interest for applying to this position within the Water Storage Investment Program? What relevant skills and experience can you bring to the position that will help you thrive at Water Branch?

    2. Describe an experience that utilized data synthesis or data analysis to inform a decision? What were the methods, tools, results, and outcome of the decision that your analysis informed?
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:
Ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact. Good organizational skills, leadership, and initiative. Maintain effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, key agency personnel, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to be dependable, flexible, and a problem solver. Experience with California Central Valley fish species and ecosystems within the Bay-Delta watershed.

Knowledge of and/or experience with: fisheries biology, aquatic ecosystems, habitat restoration, environmental laws and regulations, data analyses, statistical methods, and scientific writing.

Ability to synthesize diverse, multi-disciplinary, and disparate datasets; and provide constructive comments.

Knowledge of data science and data generation, management, quality control, storage, synthesis, analysis, visualization, archiving, and sharing; familiarity with coding; understanding of advanced data analysis methods such as machine learning, Bayesian modeling and lifecycle modeling is desirable.

Special Experience: Graduate or post graduate fisheries-related work in statistics; numerical, theoretical, and conceptual modeling, including lifecycle analyses; advanced spatial analysis; and trophic level 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.

Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Robert Stanley
(916) 907-3190
Robert.Stanley@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 565-038-0765-044 and RPA Number E-WATER 25-002 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
Print Job