Job Announcements

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking to fill an Environmental Scientist position for the San Francisco Bay Study.
For more information about the Bay Study, see the View From the Water | A Summer Day Sampling in Central Bay and the San Francisco Bay Study project page.

CalCareers Job Announcement:

Working Title: Environmental Scientist, Marine Biologist - San Francisco Bay
Job Code: JC-533306
Work Location: San Joaquin County (Region 3, Bay-Delta Stockton office)
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Salary Range: $4,418.00 - $9,321.00/month dependent on classification range
Final Filing Date: 10/12/2026

Job Description and Duties:

Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist, Supervisor, the Environmental Scientist is the first-line analytical and field biologist for the San Francisco Bay Study. In collaboration with another Environmental Scientist, the incumbent is responsible for the collection, management, interpretation, and reporting of data to meet the study’s goals and reporting requirements.

The Environmental Scientist will be a crew leader for sample collection from a 42’ research vessel 3 to 6 days per month. The balance of the time will be spent in the office editing data, managing data bases, analyzing and summarizing data, writing reports and papers, and attending and participating in meetings, workshops, and conferences. Collaboration with agency and university scientists for special study design, review, data analyses, and report or paper preparation is an important aspect of this position. Incumbent may act as a lead person for up to 4 permanent and temporary personnel in the field or office.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducts several other IEP monitoring studies in the San Francisco Estuary, including work with Delta Smelt, Longfin Smelt, Striped Bass and the food web for these and other species of interest.

Link to Class Title Exam: Environmental Scientist/Exam Bulletin

More information on the job duties and how to apply can be found in the CalCareers job announcement.

Questions about the position can be directed to Kathryn Hieb (Hiring Unit Contact) at Kathy.Hieb@wildlife.ca.gov or (209) 640-4642.

Trout Unlimited is looking to hire their next California Staff Scientist. They are seeking a high-caliber scientific leader and strategic thought partner to help drive Trout Unlimited's work to protect, reconnect, restore, and sustain salmonids and their watersheds.

This is a full time position that will help shape their Science and State Program goals, lead rigorous science and monitoring efforts (both project-specific and at landscape scales), and advocate for science-based solutions along with our many partners across California. The position is remote but will require travel around northern California and to Sacramento in particular.

Application and more details about the job requirements can be found on the Trout Unlimited recruitment website.

Applications will be considered immediately and can be submitted from the posting date until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted before October 16th, 2026. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter online via our job application system.

Job Announcement Title: Mate, Fish and Game Vessel
Job Code: JC-532159
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: San Joaquin County (Bay Delta, Stockton office)
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Final Filing Date: October 3, 2026

This position is being re-advertised. If you previously applied, your application is being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

CDFW's Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) is seeking Mates, vessel operators, to pilot a fleet of diesel-powered and gasoline-powered research vessels up to 42 feet in length.

The main duty of the Mate is to safely navigate vessels and operate a variety of aquatic sampling gear with the help of a field crew within the San Francisco Bay & Delta. In addition to directing the safe operation of our vessels and crew, Mates ensure the longevity of the fleet with regular upkeep and maintenance. Mates are also trained and will occasionally assist as deck hands to aid vessel operations, assist with sampling gear, and on occasion will assist with fish handling and identification.

When not on the water, Mates partner up with senior fleet operations staff to maintain vessels, and assist scientific staff to help prep vessels, maintain and repair field gear (nets, hardware and other equipment). These create opportunities for skill development in vessel repair, hydraulic system repair, welding, net repair and fish identification. Mates will have an opportunity to accumulate skills and at-sea time for earning (dependent on funding) or maintaining a Coast Guard Captain's License.

The Mate, Fish and Game Vessel Exam can be found on the CalCareers Exam page.

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

Questions can be directed to the Hiring Unit Supervisor, April Hennessy at April.Hennessy@wildlife.ca.gov or (209) 875-3277.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Wastewater Enterprise Regulatory Compliance and Collection Systems Divisions are hiring four Regulatory Specialists. This position would be a great fit for someone with a background in scientific monitoring as it relates to water quality and wastewater issues.

Job Announcement: Regulatory Specialist - Wastewater Enterprise - SFPUC (5620)(166336)
Role Type: Permanent Civil Service
Salary Range: $131,000.00 - $159,562.00
Application Deadline: Open at least through October 5, 2026, and will close any time thereafter
Recruitment ID: PBT-5620-166336 (RTF0166335-01117987)
Contact: Brandon Bradley (bbradley@sfwater.org)

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Wastewater Enterprise (WWE) operates and maintains San Francisco's combined sewer system to protect public health and the environment. These services extend across eight urban watersheds, more than 1,000 miles of pipe, 24 miles of transport and storage facilities and benefit every resident and visitor of San Francisco. WWE operates three all-weather wastewater treatment plants, one wet-weather facility, 32 pump stations, eight transport/storage facilities, and 34 combined sewer discharge structures to treat an estimated 34.6 billion gallons of wastewater in a typical year. In addition to treating wastewater, WWE also produces biosolids, a nutrient-rich soil-like product used as a synthetic fertilizer-replacement and soil amendment across the Bay Area.

Role Description

The Regulatory Specialist assists in assuring that all San Francisco Public Utilities Commission operations, planning and development, property management, maintenance and maritime projects comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations and requirements.

Essential functions of the position include:

• maintaining a working knowledge of the laws and regulations promulgated by various federal, state and local environmental and regulatory agencies;
• inspecting property, facilities, operations and construction activities to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; providing compliance assistance and/or enforcing environmental regulatory requirements;
• working well with others in multi-tasking situations;
• coordinating efforts among PUC staff, with other City departments and with regulatory and resources agencies to acquire the necessary authorizations to operate and to undertake new projects and maintenance activities;
• advising management of pertinent regulations affecting planned or in-progress projects and activities;
• collecting, reviewing and/or analyzing quantitative environmental data;
• reviewing and coordinating work of technical consultants;
• reviewing and/or preparing risk assessment, environmental compliance, environmental monitoring, and/or CEQA/NEPA reports;
• coordinating with other utilities, regulatory and planning agencies and the public;
• developing and administering project budgets and establishing and maintaining records and regulatory files.

The nature of the job may require performing field investigations on foot in rough terrain and uneven surfaces; confined space entry; climbing and descending ladders and travel and work at distant facilities.

Read the job announcement for more information about the duties and responsibilities of the position and how to qualify and apply.

The Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS) at the University of California, Davis invites applications for 2-3 funded M.S. research positions in either Ecology or Engineering. These graduate student researchers will collaborate with CWS researchers and with biologists and engineers at the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to design and conduct a research project that addresses high-priority knowledge gaps pertinent to water operations, aquatic ecosystem management, and/or fish conservation in Central California.

Research topics for an ecology student may include fish movement and population ecology, trophic/foodweb ecology, and restoration ecology. Research topics for an engineering student may include hydrologic modeling, parameter uncertainty, forecasting, and system optimization.

This is a two-year position beginning Fall 2027. 

To learn more about this opportunity, please visit the Center for Watershed Sciences Jobs page.

Deadline to apply for this opportunity: October 8, 2026

The USGS is interested in hiring Hydrologic Technicians to fulfil a variety of program activities and needs. The USGS posted an announcement for GS-8 positions earlier, unfortunately, there was an inaccuracy in the original posting. Hence, the USGS is reposting the GS-8 announcement - any interested candidates should apply to this new announcement even if they applied to the original announcement. Please be mindful to include any required information, such as documentation of locality.

Review the job announcement for the specific application period, job duties, and eligibility requirements.

This job announcement can be found on the USAJOBS website.

• GS-8 - FUL - Hydrologic Technician; 36 vacancies at multiple locations nationwide.
  • USAJOBS Announcement number USGS-26-13047843-FUL-SA Control number 883340100
  • Application period opens 09/02/2026 and closes 09/10/2026.

Calling all social media content creators - Cal-Neva AFS is looking for a Social Media Intern to create content for all their social media sites!

This is a paid position until March 31, 2027. Application deadline is open until filled.

Requirements:

• Provide 1 social media post per week (including Guess that Fish, Student/Professional profiles, etc.).
• No AI-generated content.
• Be silly and have fun with it!
• Preferred qualifications are Photoshop and/or other graphic design skills.

How to Apply:

• Send your best fish meme and one idea of what kind of weekly post you would like to see on Cal-Neva's social media to afs.calneva@gmail.com

Compensation:

• $200 sign-on bonus with an additional $200 per quarter

The Stewardship Specialist is a full-time (32 hours per week) non-exempt, grant-funded position that is regularly scheduled weekdays with occasional weekend or evening work. The Stewardship Specialist is an employee of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation and will be responsible for stewardship on Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) lands, which are owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This is a two-year grant-funded position with the possibility of extension contingent on continued funding. This position is supervised by the Stewardship Coordinator, who reports to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Reserve Manager.

The position is located at 1700 Elkhorn Rd. Royal Oaks, CA 95076

Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement resource management projects as outlined in ESNERR’s management plan. This includes invasive species control (with physical and chemical means), habitat maintenance, and habitat restoration activities, with an emphasis on projects in non-tidal habitats
• Manage contractors, consultants, land management crews, volunteers and others in stewardship projects
• Conduct monitoring activities as part of an adaptive management approach to habitat restoration, and as part of property conservation, protection and management
• Help maintain infrastructure and tools that support Reserve stewardship activities (greenhouse irrigation, wash station, seed storage sheds, stewardship-owned tools)
• Maintain regular communication with Stewardship Coordinator regarding land management tasks and priorities
• Communicate project goals, processes, and outcomes effectively to a variety of audiences including land managers, local community members, organizational partners, and volunteers
• Participate in other parts of the stewardship program as needed, including helping with the prioritization of stewardship projects; assisting in the development of grants to funds them; and helping the Nursery Manager with native plant seed collection and propagation
• Create and maintain reports, files, maps, images, and databases related to resource management

This position is open until August 24, 2026. However, we may close the application window sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified candidates.

More information about this position and how to apply can be found on the Elkhorn Slough job opportunities page.

This position is being re-advertised. If you previously applied, your application is being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

CalCareers Job Announcement: JC-511752- Mate, Fish and Game Vessel
Final Filing Date: 8/15/2026
Work Location: San Joaquin County
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) currently has one opening for a Mate (vessel operator), to pilot a fleet of diesel-powered and gasoline-powered research vessels up to 42 feet in length.

The main duty of this position is to safely navigate vessels and operate a variety of aquatic sampling gear with the help of a field crew within the San Francisco Bay & Delta. Mates ensure the longevity of the fleet with regular upkeep and maintenance. Mates will be trained and occasionally assist as deck hands to aid vessel operations, assist with sampling gear, and on occasion, assist with fish handling and identification.

When not on the water, Mates partner with senior fleet operations staff to maintain vessels, help prep vessels, maintain and repair field gear (e.g., nets, hardware, and other equipment). Mates will also have an opportunity to accumulate skills and at-sea time for earning (dependent on funding) or maintaining a Coast Guard Captain's License.

Review the CalCareers Job Announcement for more information on this job, duties, and how to apply.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to the Hiring Unit Contact, April Hennessy at April.Hennessy@wildlife.ca.gov or (209) 875-3277.

The U.S. Geological Survey is hiring several Hydrological Technicians across grade levels GS-5 through GS-8 in several states.

Review each job announcement for the specific application period, job duties, and eligibility requirements.

All of these positions can be found in the USAJOBS website.

• GS-5 - FUL - Hydrologic Technician; 27 vacancies; application period ends 08/10/2026
  • USAJOBS Announcement number USGS-FUL-26-13022652-LF Control number 878747900
• GS-6 - FUL - Hydrologic Technician; 25 vacancies (no positions in CA); application period ends 08/10/2026
  • USAJOBS Announcement number USGS-FUL-26-13025167-DM Control number 878749000
• GS-7 - FUL - Hydrologic Technician; 24 vacancies; application period ends 08/14/2026
  • USAJOBS Announcement number USGS-FUL-26-13023158-JB Control number 879219900
• GS-8 - FUL - Hydrologic Technician; 36 vacancies; application period ends 8/14/2026
  • USAJOBS Announcement number USGS-FUL-26-13024380-SA Control number 879303400