Job Posting: Fisheries Ecologist

Department of Water Resources

JC-535803
-
Fisheries Ecologist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,551.00 - $9,601.00 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: 11/3/2026

Job Description and Duties

This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a team of interdisciplinary professional scientists in the Aquatic Ecology Unit (AEU), working across a diverse range of field, laboratory, analytical, and research activities. AEU conducts innovative aquatic ecology research and long-term monitoring in the Yolo Bypass and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The incumbent is responsible for leading the collection of fisheries, invertebrate, water quality, and other ecological data for the Yolo Bypass Fish Monitoring Program using gear such as a rotary screw trap, fyke trap, beach seines, plankton nets, and water quality instruments. The incumbent will lead field crews, operate boats and specialized sampling equipment, troubleshoot field challenges, and process chemical, biological, and molecular samples in the laboratory.

 

In addition to supporting long-term monitoring, the position will have opportunities to lead and contribute to novel research through special studies, from developing study plans and sampling approaches to analyzing data and communicating findings through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations. This position requires adapting and modifying field methods to meet changing demands or situations, while maintaining high standards for safety, data quality, and permit compliance. The successful candidate will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scientists to address complex aquatic resource management questions.


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-535803
Position #(s):
840-360-0762-018
Working Title:
Fisheries Ecologist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,551.00 - $6,216.00 A
$5,531.00 - $7,571.00 B
$7,000.00 - $9,601.00 C
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

Division of Integrated Science and Engineering

Ecosystem Monitoring, Research, and Reporting Branch

Estuarine Science and Synthesis Section

Aquatic Ecology Unit

West Sacramento

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department.  Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect.  An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.

 

Special Requirements

Field sampling may require traversing uneven terrain and boat activities in rugged outdoor environments and inclement weather. Field sampling may occur on weekends and at night. The incumbent must be able to swim at least 50 yards and stay afloat for at least 10 minutes with assistance of a personal floatation device, work on boats without severe incapacitation due to seasickness, and transport equipment up to 50 pounds, with assistance. The incumbent will be required to drive to field study locations and to off-site meetings and must possess a valid driver’s license.

 

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: 11/3/2026

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.

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 Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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 - Cover Letter - Please limit to no more than one page.
  • Other - Supplemental Questionnaire - Please limit responses to no more than one page, see Special Instructions for details. 
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 ideal candidate is a collaborative, adaptable scientist who is excited to work across disciplines and take ownership of diverse scientific challenges. Candidates should have strong teamwork and communication skills, sound situational awareness and judgment, and the initiative to identify problems and develop practical solutions in dynamic field and laboratory environments. Above all, we are looking for someone who is comfortable learning new skills, working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting, and stepping into leadership roles when needed.

Additionally, a well-qualified candidate will have:

 

  • Knowledge of floodplains, aquatic, and food web ecology and associated laboratory techniques.
  • Experience coordinating and conducting scientific fieldwork in remote or rugged terrain and aquatic environments, including operating motorized boats and field equipment  (e.g., rotary screw traps, fyke traps) and implementing  field surveys or long-term monitoring protocols.
  • Experience implementing sampling and safety protocols, particularly when working with specially listed species or other regulated resources.
  • Experience managing ecological data with strong analytical skills, including the ability to review and interpret datasets, and applying statistical methods to research questions.
  • Experience with data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), including evaluating and managing highly variable, noisy, incomplete, or censored data.
  • Experience processing biological and/or molecular samples in a laboratory.
  • Willingness to learn and be proficient in genetic sample processing.
  • Willingness to learn and comply with Department procurement and contract management policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Strong scientific writing skills and the ability to contribute to technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, study plans, SOPs, and scientific presentations.
  • Familiarity with ecological and regulatory issues in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary.
  • Well-developed communication and leadership skills, requiring careful preparation, situation awareness and safety judgement.

 

Recognition that fieldwork in challenging aquatic environments may involve boats, variable weather, night work, and changing field conditions, making safety awareness, preparation, and good judgment essential.


Benefits

DWR employees are eligible for a number of benefits.  Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees and some permanent, part-time employees.  Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

 

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

 

Flexible Work Hours

Free Parking

Telework Opportunities

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits

Paid Sick & Vacation

Retirement

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) & 457 plans

Student Loan Forgiveness

Long Term Care

Group Legal Services

 

We are located in West Sacramento, right off Highway 50, close to shopping, grocery stores, and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

 

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

 

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR.

 

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
Gareth Johnson
(916) 882-0989
DISE_HR@water.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.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.

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position #50002777 and Job Control #535803 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

 

The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to elicit information regarding each applicant’s abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please complete this questionnaire and identify a reference who can verify your knowledge and/or experience. If you do not have experience regarding the question, then include examples of similar experience that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function. Please limit your answer to one page (Arial 12 pt font and 1” margins). 

 

  1. Describe a specific scientific, field or laboratory situation in which unexpected conditions or results required you to adapt your approach. Explain how you assessed the problem, collaborated with others, considered safety and data quality, and determined an appropriate course of action. (Please use paragraph form and limit your answer to one page).

 

The following basis of eligibility will be considered:  List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

 

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section. Incomplete application packages and those not adhering to the cover letter and supplemental questionnaire page limits noted above will not be considered.

 

Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

 

Examination/Assessment

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:  ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

 

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