Job Posting: Smelt Team Supervisor

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-535352
-
Smelt Team Supervisor
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00 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: 11/2/2026

Job Description and Duties

Delta Smelt and Longfin smelt are unique fishes of the San Francisco Estuary and have recently declined to their lowest population levels since monitoring began over 60 years ago. These species sit at the center of California's water management challenges, where the goal is to balance human water needs with the ecological needs of native fish. To better manage and protect these species, a highly skilled team of multi-disciplinary scientists collaborates across agencies to improve our understanding of Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt life history, identify key stressors, and develop creative strategies to minimize and mitigate impacts associated with freshwater exports.

This position offers a unique opportunity for an individual with strong leadership skills and a background in fisheries biology and the California Endangered Species Act to lead the Smelt Team within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's State Water Project Permitting Program. The Smelt Team Supervisor will oversee implementation of, and compliance with, the federal and state endangered species acts for the Central Valley Project (CVP), State Water Project (SWP), and the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). They will collaborate with State, federal, academic, and/or colleagues to implement and review the scientific and administrative aspects of water project operations, covered species monitoring, scientific study, and mitigation. The Smelt Team Supervisor will also lead the team in developing novel monitoring, minimization, and mitigation concepts for Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt and propose them to Water Branch management for implementation.

The mission of the State Water Project Permitting Unit is to develop and implement novel, science-based solutions to conflicts between water supply and ecosystem management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and tributaries. We will consistently provide clear, creative, and feasible solutions to conserve and adaptively manage imperiled species and ecosystems impacted by joint operations of the State and federal water projects. We will do this by developing our own scientific expertise and encouraging outside-the-box thinking in a collaborative, open, respectful, and candid setting.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

 

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:

 

Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR.

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.


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 (Supervisory)

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

Working Conditions

This position is office based and requires the ability to use a computer keyboard several hours a day. Involves sitting for most of the time and walking or standing for brief periods. Attend meetings and workgroups in person and via conference call and Microsoft Teams, work with state and federal agency staff and various stakeholders. Field work may be required; the position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as Department staff. Attend meetings and work with staff statewide to complete work assignments. Scheduling or attending meetings and coordination efforts will prioritize in-person over virtual options. Occasional travel may be required; less than 5%.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-535352
Position #(s):
565-038-0764-015
Working Title:
Smelt Team Supervisor
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SUPERVISORY)
$10,854.00 - $13,493.00
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

Special Requirements

The selected candidate may be required to provide transcripts (may be unofficial).

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: 11/2/2026

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
HRB Drop-Off Address (Exams)
Human Resources
715 P Street, 16th Floor Suite 300
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 Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

    Statement of Qualifications must be no more than three pages in length, size 12 Arial font.

    Question 1: Why are you interested in this position and what skills and qualifications do you have that make you a competitive candidate?

    Question 2: Describe your approach to leading and managing multi-disciplinary staff working on technical teams, workgroups, or scientific evaluations. In your response, please include specific examples from your experience.

    Question 3: Describe your experience working in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and its tributaries. In your response, please highlight any experience you have with operations of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project or work involving threatened and endangered fish species.
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. Consistently applies the best available scientific information and conducts accurate analysis. Effectively manages time through goal setting, prioritization, and work planning. Maintains effective working relationships with other staff, managers, members of the public, agency personnel, and stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to be dependable and a problem solver. Experience with California Central Valley fish species, with a focus on salmon, and ecosystems within the Bay-Delta watershed.

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:
Michael Eakin
(916) 838-9671
Michael.Eakin@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 565-038-0764-015 and RPA Number E-WATER 26-003 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