Job Posting: Wetland Restoration Ecologist

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-536294
-
Wetland Restoration Ecologist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$8,055.00 - $11,054.00 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: 11/10/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Fish Restoration Program (FRP) is seeking two creative, curious, and collaborative scientists to help drive cutting edge ecological analysis, interagency coordination, and field based discovery related to tidal wetland restoration across the upper San Francisco Estuary. If you’re excited by the intersection of advanced analytics, restoration science, mentorship, and hands on fieldwork, this is your opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of California’s wetlands.
What You’ll Do
• Lead advanced ecological analyses to evaluate restoration effectiveness and guide adaptive management.
• Synthesize literature, data, and multi program findings into high quality technical reports and peer-reviewed articles.
• Mentor colleagues in data analysis, visualization, and effective scientific communication.
• Work closely with partner agencies to integrate monitoring and synthesis efforts and support responsible data access and use.
• Get outside—conduct boat-based sampling of wetland invertebrates and fishes in and around the eleven FRP restoration projects.
• Support lab operations by sorting invertebrate samples, preparing nutrient samples, and calibrating water quality instruments.
Who You Are
You’re a scientist who enjoys the entire process of transforming samples into knowledge – getting muddy, wrangling data, and communicating findings, while teaching others along the way. You thrive in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments and believe science should be transparent, rigorous, and accessible.
Why This Role Matters
FRP’s monitoring and synthesis will shape California’s wetland restoration planning and management for years to come. Your work will help determine what’s working, why it’s working, and how restoration can be improved to support fish and wildlife in a changing estuary.
Ready to put your analytical, ecological, and communication talents to work for one of the state’s most impactful restoration programs?
Apply today and help build a healthier estuary for future generations.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FILING INSTRUCTIONS
Please thoroughly and appropriately answer all requested information for each employment record entry in step 3) Experience of the online application. STD 678 Employment Applications will be screened for thorough completion of the Employment History section (beginning on page 4). Do not simply state to refer to your resume. If a field does not apply, enter "N/A" or other appropriate answer. Click "Print" at the bottom of the CalCareers application to preview your STD 678 application. Applicants whose applications do not follow these instructions may be eliminated from further consideration.

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

Working Conditions

Using a computer for most of the workday, 5 days a week, when in the office. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. Several days a month, work aboard a small research vessel collecting and processing biological samples. Field work involves kneeling, reaching, and lifting gear up to 40 pounds, may occur in inclement weather or rough water, and require early starts and long workdays. Must possess a valid driver's license and be prepared to operate a State vehicle.
This position is located at the CDFW, Bay Delta Region field office in Stockton, California.
This position may be eligible for a telework agreement based on the Department's current Telework Policy.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-536294
Position #(s):
565-331-0765-xxx
Working Title:
Wetland Restoration Ecologist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$8,055.00 - $11,054.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
San Joaquin 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

Must have the ability to lift a minimum of forty (40) pounds. Must be able to swim fifty (50) yards, stay afloat at least five (5) minutes, and be able to work in rough water without incapacitation due to seasickness.

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: 11/10/2026

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 Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address
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.
  • Supplemental Application -

    A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire 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:
Self-motivating, proactive, and organized, with attention to detail. Communicates clearly and concisely. Ability to work well with the public and represent the Department in a professional manner. Ability to work cooperatively in a team setting with other Department and inter-agency staff.
Experience with:
- Statistical analysis
- Programming language/software
- Scientific writing
- Mentoring

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:
Stacy Sherman
(209) 470-2906
Stacy.Sherman@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.

Supplemental Questionnaire

A Supplemental Questionnaire is required. Please see below for Supplemental Questions. Failure to include the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in an incomplete application submission.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
In order to be considered for this position, you must provide responses to the supplemental questionnaire below with your State application. Please keep your collective answers to no more than two pages, single-spaced, using 12-point Arial font. Applications with responses that are not related to the prompts of the supplemental questionnaire may be eliminated from consideration.
1. Describe your experience with applying statistical analysis to projects. For each project, give an overview of the topic and detail which statistical techniques were used, along with the programming language/software used to perform them.
2. Describe your experience writing technical reports, white papers, and/or peer-reviewed publications. Be specific about your role in any multi-authored products.
3. Describe your experience teaching or mentoring others in ecology and/or data analysis.



Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-331-0765-044/045 and RPA Number E-R3 ES 26-013 & 014 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