Job Posting: Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

JC-511132
-
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: 3/31/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Conservancy office is open when staff are working in-person. You are strongly encouraged to apply electronically through https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/. However, applications may be delivered in-person or by courier service by placing them in the mail slot at 1450 Halyard Drive, Suite 6, West Sacramento, CA 95891 no later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the final filing date. Alternatively, you may mail your application to the above address. 

Interviews may be conducted through video or audio conferencing. 

Telework: Conservancy staff work in-person two days a week. Headquarters for this position is located at 1450 Halyard Drive, Suite 6, West Sacramento; Telework agreements may change with reasonable notice.

Excellence in the Business of Government!

Come join a team that creates:

  • A collaborative team atmosphere founded upon ethics, integrity, and stewardship.
  • A positive work environment that is open to change and invites its workforce to challenge processes.
  • An opportunity for individuals to utilize their knowledge, skills, and experience to grow within the department.
Do you want to support the ecological and economic well-being of the largest estuary on the West Coast? The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (Conservancy) is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) to join our team. This position provides an exciting opportunity to lead and manage complex ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation projects, collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, federal, state, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Native American Tribes.

The Conservancy is a small, committed team that works across departments and disciplines to protect, enhance, and restore the Delta's economy, agriculture and working landscapes, and environment.

In this position you will:
  • Manage complex projects that advance ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
  • Lead special initiatives that support and advance the Conservancy’s mission and strategic plan
  • Research and brief the Conservancy’s Executive Management, Board, Native American Tribes, and stakeholders on the emerging issues or other ecosystems, restoration or climate adaptation topics. 
Please see the Duty Statement for additional details.

This position may require travel.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of General Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job.  Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Click here to take the survey!

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-511132
Position #(s):
531-100-0765-091
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:
Yolo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Work Shift:
Flex; 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Work Week:
Monday – Friday

Department Information

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a unique region in the heart of California that provides critical habitat to birds and fish, produces agricultural products that are distributed worldwide, offers scenic and recreational value to millions of visitors, and delivers water to more than 25 million Californians. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy leads efforts to protect, enhance, and restore the Delta’s economy, agriculture and working landscapes, and environment.

The Conservancy offers a unique opportunity to gain broad experience. We are looking for a positive and detail-oriented person to join our team and help make a difference.  

We understand the importance of building an organization that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We believe in maintaining a workplace where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences can thrive.

Guiding Principles

The Delta Conservancy:

  • Acts in collaboration with the communities of the Delta and Suisun Marsh to implement multi-benefit initiatives.
  • Operates with integrity in a transparent and accessible manner.
  • Supports efforts that advance both environmental protection and the economic well-being in a complementary manner.
  • Uses best available science.
  • Recognizes and values the unique nature of the history, culture, communities, and ecosystems of the Delta and Suisun Marsh.
  • Believes that access to natural resources, the benefits of ecological health, and the advantages of economic growth should be equitably distributed and accessible for all.
  • Is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.
Department Website: https://deltaconservancy.ca.gov

Special Requirements

  • Employment History on the STD 678 (State Application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute a state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 (State Application) may be disqualified. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview. 

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678), otherwise the application may be considered incomplete. A resume does not replace the information that is required on the application form.

  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. Must possess the Minimum Qualifications for a Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist which will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. (see https://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/Pages/0762.aspx ).
  3. Must have Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list.

Provide your unofficial transcripts/diploma if needed for verification at the time of application. 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.

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: 3/31/2026

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:

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
SSJDC Recruitment
Attn: Karen Buhr
1450 Halyard Drive
Suite 6
West Sacramento, CA 95691

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
SSJDC Recruitment
Attn: Karen Buhr
1450 Halyard Drive
Suite 6
West Sacramento, CA 95691
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
  • Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    REQUIRED – Supplemental Questionnaire. Please see the Supplemental Questionnaire section on the job advertisement for details and instructions.

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 listed desired qualifications are not mandatory. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the desired qualifications.

  • Experience conducing environmental management, ecosystem, nature-based solutions, restoration studies, monitoring, or project management. Preference for experience in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
  • Experience writing technical reports or other scientific publications
  • Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate and present scientific and technical topics to others with varying degrees of scientific knowledge. 
  • Experience working with varied stakeholder groups, members of the public, disadvantaged communities, or Native American Tribes
  • CEQA experience and familiarity with federal and state environmental permitting requirements
  • Experience with GIS tools (Google Earth and ArcMap)
  • Experience developing criteria, procedures, guidelines, reference materials, planning and regulatory documents, or other innovative solutions for environmental management problems

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!  The State of California has a generous benefits package, some benefits include:

  • Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Holidays and leave
  • Defined benefit retirement program
  • Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
  • Commute Program
  • Employee Wellness Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

  • Free parking


Click here to view all the benefits available to state employees!

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://deltaconservancy.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jessica Adel
(916) 606-4730
Jessica.Adel@deltaconservancy.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 Main Line
(916) 376-5127
DGSEEO@dgs.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 Information

Reporting Location:

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
1450 Halyard Drive, Suite 6, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Please specify RPA #30087 and JC-511132 on your state application.

Examination Information:

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete in the state’s merit-based recruitment and hiring process.  To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:

CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

Successful examination applicants are placed on a hiring eligibility list.  If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination.  Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareers account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and/or to re-take the examination when necessary.  

For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the DGS Examinations Unit at DGSExams@dgs.ca.gov. 

Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ)

Supplemental Questions (maximum 2 pages)

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not take the place of the supplemental question, or any information required on the Employment Application form.

  1. Briefly describe your relevant experience for each of the desirable qualifications.
  2. Briefly describe your perspective on the role of a Senior Environmental Scientist in public service and your interest in the Delta Conservancy's mission.

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