Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Do you enjoy making a difference in wildlife conservation while working outdoors, hiking, and  camping?  Be essential at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), where employees are valued and come together to manage and protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and habitats, for their ecological values and public enjoyment!  Work with CDFW Wildlife Biologists to help monitor wildlife populations and habitats in beautiful locations throughout the North Central Region of California.

Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), incumbent will establish sampling transects and trail cameras on public and private lands throughout the North Central Region for the estimation of deer population density. Incumbent will also assist environmental scientists with wildlife field surveys, captures, field data collection, entry, and analysis, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) field use, and reporting for various Game Grant projects related primarily to large mammal and avian species management.

Incumbent should possess ability to use map, compass, and Global Positioning Systems to navigate off road, off trail, and in rough terrain. Duties include hiking long-distances off-trail and frequently camping overnight in order to establish sampling transects in a forested environment and collect deer fecal samples for DNA sequencing and mark-recapture analysis.  The use of spreadsheet software such as Excel and Access for data entry is required.  Proficient writing and verbal skills are required. Incumbent will write field notes and record data, and may collect specimens related to approved research and management. Incumbent may also assist with preparing for and conducting CDFW special hunts and run hunter check stations. Administrative duties will include completing time sheets and attendance to required training as needed. Position is primarily field-based.

The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.

• Applicants who receive public assistance under the CalWORKs program shall be given hiring priority consideration as provided in Government Code, Section 19063.

• Applicants who receive public assistance need to identify themselves as CalWORKs recipients in the comments section of the STD 678, Examination/Employment Application.

• Applicants must submit verification of CalWORKs eligibility, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility or a copy of the most recent aid check stub.

• Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program. If CalWORKs verification is not submitted with the application, it will not be processed as CalWORKs eligible.

• Participation by a public assistance recipient is voluntary and in no event shall any person be subject to sanctions, through loss of benefits or eligibility, for not applying for, accepting, or continuing in a seasonal or entry level non-testing classification opening.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position will be located throughout the 17-county North Central Region and possibly other parts of the state, as needed. Travel is required within the state of California via state vehicle, private or public transportation. The incumbent must be willing to work long, irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, and be able to spend multiple, consecutive nights in the field when working on field projects (commonly 3 nights a week for ~4 months of the year).  Duties may occur under a wide variety of conditions including inclement weather and requires long distance, off-trail foot access to study plots in steep/rugged terrain. This position is primarily field based but also includes office work.  This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license. Personal vehicle use may be required. Vehicle expenses and fuel will be reimbursed via monthly mileage claim. This position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff.  

Special Requirements

Efficient responsiveness to program supervisor, wildlife biologists, and scientific aid colleagues while in the field or office.  

This position requires possession of a valid Class C Driver's License. Must maintain a clean driving record. The selected candidate may be required to provide a photocopy (front and back) of the license: Name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL #, Class, expiration. 

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:

Special Personal Characteristics:

• Enjoy working outdoors, hiking in all types of conditions, and camping

• Possess 4 Wheel-driving capabilities and ability to endure long road-trips

• Organized, good time management and sense of geographic direction.

• Ability to work with a team and independently  

• Attention to details while assisting with wildlife and habitat surveys

• Ability to interpret scientific protocols and exercise problem solving skills in the field with limited cell coverage

Special Physical Characteristics:

• Ability to lift 40 pounds

• Ability to hike long distances over rough terrain while carrying a backpack several days in a row every week

Interpersonal Skills:

•  Ability to act professionally, be flexible and tactful

•  Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups

•  Strong skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-281-0835-905 and RPA Number E-R2 W 24-036 to 050 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  .  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.

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 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.

Job Tags

Temporary work, Seasonal work, Outdoor, Long distance, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Early shift,

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