Job Posting: SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Department of Parks & Recreation

JC-510951
-
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 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: 4/11/2026

Job Description and Duties

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) – SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT / NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM / HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK

 

The reporting location for this position is at the District Office in Felton, CA. This position will work under the supervision of Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory).

The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) assists with the development and planning of the District's Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Program (WFRP). This position is responsible for planning and managing activities that reduce wildfire risk, improve forest and landscape resiliency and overall ecological health and biodiversity, while ensuring compliance with department and district objectives. Key responsibilities include conducting prescribed burn operations, coordinate with district leadership and external partners, and ensuring all District activities align with safety and environmental standards. The position represents the Department and the District during meetings with outside agencies, local government representatives, utilities, contractors, and the public, and is required to work during normal business hours and occasionally on evenings or weekend days for fire related activities, training, special projects or events. The position is part of the district natural resource team responsible for natural resource planning, management, enhancement, and protection within the district. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist ) may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project, program function, or area of expertise. The incumbent will be a self-starter blending their professional expertise and skills to fulfill the district's role in fulfilling the Department's Mission for natural resource stewardship.

Training and Development Assignments may be considered.

Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license is required. You must answer the questions addressing your driver’s license on your application. Ensure you provide your driver’s license number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions on your application.

The selected candidate is required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting prior to appointment.

This position is designated as telework eligible-office centered.

State housing is not available. For further information regarding this position, please contact Portia Halbert at (831) 251-2883 or at portia.halbert@parks.ca.gov.  

This recruitment may be used to fill identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the Final Filing Date of this job posting.

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

Working Conditions

Daily and frequent use of personal computer, phone, and a variety of office software applications at workstation. Sit in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods. Work environment may have moderate exposure to dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. Involves interactions with visitors. Occasionally-to-frequent work outside of office. Work in a range of climatic environments from hot, dry areas, coastal beaches, forests, and steep terrain. Must be capable of field work under all-weather conditions.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025).  PLP 2025 directs that each employee receives a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The percentage of the temporary salary reduction and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are determined by the position’s assigned bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not reflect the temporary salary reduction. For additional information regarding PLP 2025, please click here.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-510951
Position #(s):
549-715-0765-001
Working Title:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
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:
Santa Cruz County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Santa Cruz District

Department Information

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

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.

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

Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your degree/transcripts and/or license along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. If selected for the position transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.)

SROA/SURPLUS Applicants: You must check the SROA/Surplus as your claimed method of eligibility and attach your SROA/Surplus letter as an additional document.

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: 4/11/2026

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 Parks & Recreation
Administrative Services Division
Attn: Classification and Hiring Unit
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Parks & Recreation
Administrative Services Division
Classification and Hiring Unit
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Monday-Friday, excluding weekends and state 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
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:


Strong candidates will have and/or be willing to work towards certifying as a State Parks Burn Boss or California Certified Burn Boss and will work towards representing the Department as a Resource Advisor (READ). Familiarity with the Incident Command System and fire operations are preferred.

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: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Portia Halbert
(831) 251-2883
portia.halbert@parks.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:
Sharon Comas - EEO Office
(916) 653-9990
sharon.comas@parks.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.

Additional Instructions

If submitting your completed Application Package by mail or hand delivery, you must include the Position # 549-715-0765-001 and the Job Control # JC-510951 in the “Examination or Job Title for which you are applying” section on the STD. 678. 

Note: If you are applying for multiple positions, you must complete a STD. 678 for each position separately. Incomplete applications or applications received with multiple positions listed on one application will not be considered.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Eligibility Information

To be appointed you must satisfy one of the following requirements:

  1. List Eligibility – Successfully complete the civil service exam for SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST). Click here for more information on how to apply for the exam. NOTE: Please refer to the exam bulletin for the frequency of administration of this exam. 
  1. Transfer Eligibility – Must have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).
  1. Reinstatement Eligibility – Previously obtained permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum Qualifications section and associated links above).

In some special circumstances, candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position, but who do not have one of the types of eligibility listed above, may be hired. However, this is rare, and the preferred method of appointment is through eligibility as described above.

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