Job Posting: R/V Garibaldi Mate/Operator

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-515585
-
R/V Garibaldi Mate/Operator
MATE, FISH AND GAME VESSEL

$5,316.00 - $6,365.00 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: 5/20/2026

Job Description and Duties

Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team that protects California's marine natural resources? Do you have skills and experience operating power vessels in the ocean? Are you interested in marine science and fisheries? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Region is seeking a motivated individual to work as a Mate, Fish & Game Vessel based in the Port of Los Angeles. Under general supervision, the mate will operate and maintain CDFW's 45' single engine research vessel Garibaldi. The Garibaldi is primarily used as a marine research platform for scientists conducting underwater surveys, trawl surveys, trapping, and other ocean science surveys. The Garibaldi primarily operates between Point Conception and the US/Mexico border including the Channel Islands. Vessel operations and other work will require overnight travel, some weekend work, and being onsite Monday-Friday in San Pedro when the vessel is not operating. This is a full-time permanent position with staff benefits and vacation. When not underway the Mate will perform maintenance and repair tasks on the Garibaldi and any of the department's other vessels.

NOTE: Acceptance for this position requires that you are eligible on the State Examination List for Mate, Fish and Game Vessel. Information on taking the List Exam can be found at: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=3255

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

Working Conditions

Travel of up to 20% of total time may be required within the state of California via private or public transportation (i.e., automobile, airplane, boat, etc.). Travel may be subject to short notice deployment with overnight stays which is dependent upon departmental need. There are often consecutive days of research based out of ports other than Los Angeles and at the Channel Islands. Sleeping on board is required when spending multiple days at sea or when accommodation is not available at other ports.

Office location San Pedro, Alta Sea at the Port of Los Angeles.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-515585
Position #(s):
565-772-6986-001
Working Title:
R/V Garibaldi Mate/Operator
Classification:
MATE, FISH AND GAME VESSEL
$5,316.00 - $6,365.00
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:
Los Angeles County
Telework:
In Office
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

Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Boater ID Card Certificate. You will be required to provide a copy of your certificate prior to being hired.
Must be able to communicate via marine VHF radio. Must be able to elevate 50 lbs.

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: 5/20/2026

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 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.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

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:
US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (Operator or Uninspected Passenger Vessels or higher).
Environmental science education or experience.
SCUBA certified.

Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge of construction, repair, maintenance, and use of various types of fisheries sampling gear; principles of coastal navigation; seamanship, including the rigging, splicing, and tying of ropes and cables; US Coast Guard Navigation Rules (COLREGs); principles of effective leadership and directing the work of others; at sea safety protocols and procedures.

Special Personal Characteristics: Honest, efficient, composed, dependable. Willingness to work unusual hours including Saturday, Sundays, and holidays; willingness to go on extended sea cruises.

Special Physical Characteristics: Physical agility and strength; ability to swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes, and immunity from seasickness.

Interpersonal Skills: Communicate effectively.

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:
Charles Dobbins
(562) 243-4788
Charles.Dobbins@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.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

Please provide a “Statement of Qualifications” (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.
The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered 1-5 and list all relevant experience and professional license level.
1. Describe the level of boating certification you have obtained (e.g., United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Credential (MMC) or other) and any expiration date(s) if applicable.
2. Describe the types of commercial, government, and/or commercial fishing vessels you have experience operating and the number of years operating each. Include vessel size, your role onboard, and area of operation.
3. Describe the types of commercial, government, and/or commercial fishing vessels you have experience maintaining and repairing and the number of years performing these tasks.
4. Describe your work experience involving fisheries monitoring, management, science or policy and number of years doing this work.
5. List your other specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that may be relevant to this position. Examples: Microsoft Office Suite, forklift operation, lift up to 50 lbs, use a vertical ladder to access vessels.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-772-6986-001 and RPA Number E-R7 MR 25-039 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.

 

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.

 

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

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