Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Department is seeking a skilled and motivated land management professional to lead the stewardship of ecological reserves and other State lands, with the primary duty station at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. This role supports the long-term conservation of California’s natural resources through field operations, staff leadership, habitat restoration, and coordination with agency partners and the public. In this position, the selected candidate will oversee daily maintenance of Department-managed lands, ensuring that facilities, trails, signage, fences, and infrastructure remain safe and functional for public and operational use. You’ll work alongside permanent and seasonal staff, contractors, and volunteer crews, helping ensure the lands are maintained in a collaborative effort. Duties include vegetation management, invasive species control, equipment oversight, and timely completion of routine and emergency maintenance tasks (e.g., equipment repair needs, perimeter fencing issues, addressing water leaks, etc.). You will prepare and implement adaptive management plans; conduct biological surveys; analyze habitat and species data; and assess management needs for restored, mitigation, and sensitive areas. The role includes reviewing environmental documents, obtaining necessary permits, and representing the Department on cooperative management teams and technical working groups. The position requires strong coordination with federal, State, and local agencies, neighboring landowners, land trusts and other non-governmental organizations, volunteer groups, and academic partners. You will administer contracts, monitor funded programs, prepare reports and budgets, maintain program documentation, and help coordinate hiring and training efforts of support staff. This role involves both fieldwork and office duties, often in variable weather and rugged terrain. Overnight travel will be required up to 10%. Work hours may be 10+ hours per day, including some night and weekend work, and may occur during varied weather conditions.

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:

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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.

Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist / Exam Bulletin

This position is posted in the following counties: Los Angeles/Ventura counties . Please apply to each county in which you are interested in working.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Office will be located at Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve in Los Angeles OR the Cienega Springs Ecological Reserve in Fillmore. Work is conducted in office and outdoors environments, and includes highway and off-road driving, which incorporates trail and off-trail navigation. Driving up to 30% is an essential requirement for this position and requires a valid driver’s license, as the CDFW properties under its management require regular site visits. Many of these properties are in remote areas and span across three counties, making alternative transportation impractical. Overnight travel will be required up to 10%. Work hours may be 10+ hours per day, including some night and weekend work, and may occur during varied weather conditions. Uniform is required when interacting with the public and while conducting fieldwork.

Special Requirements

Candidate must be able to communicate effectively; follow verbal and written instructions; prepare well written reports and maintain records in a highly organized manner; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work; analyze situations and take effective action; good driving record is required; must be able to lift 40 pounds, hike in extreme terrain, and work in inclement weather.

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

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:

Additional course work or experience in biological or chemical sciences; interest in and knowledge of fishing, hunting or studying fish, wildlife, invertebrates or plants; experience in camping, boating, and maintaining or repairing equipment; interest in a career in biology or fish wildlife. Interest in and aptitude for the work; experience in outdoor recreation and use of related outdoor equipment.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-561-0762-009and RPA Number E-R5 ES 25-021  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.

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.

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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, For contractors, Seasonal work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Night shift

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