RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF

State of California

State of California

Sacramento County, CA, USA

USD 8,327-10,779 / month

Posted on May 15, 2026

Job Posting: Research Scientist Staff

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-516624
-
Research Scientist Staff
RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF

$8,327.00 - $10,779.00 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: 5/29/2026

Job Description and Duties

Are you looking to be a part of a dynamic team that conducts novel and applied genetics research to help improve fisheries conservation, restoration and recovery in California? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Fisheries Branch is seeking a motivated individual to work as a full-time Research Scientist Staff at its Genetics Research Laboratory located in Sacramento, CA specializing in Bio-informatics. This position requires outstanding initiative, the ability to coordinate with other Research Scientists to on analysis of large and complex datasets, and an ability to work as part of a team in a laboratory setting.

In collaboration with Genetics Research Laboratory and CDFW Fisheries Branch staff, the successful candidate will:
(1) plan, organize, develop, and validate multi-phase genetic studies in coordination with other agencies on critical fish related issues
(2) Plan, organize, and design highly complex bioinformatics pipelines in support of wild and hatchery fish stocks including parentage based tagging and cohort reconstruction of Chinook salmon.
(3) Coordinate with CDFW's Data Technology Division to Develop and maintain databases of genetics data associated with CDFW Fisheries Genetics Laboratory projects.
(4) Prepare and review research proposals and protocols.
(5) Serve as CDFW's expert relating to high-throughput sequencing bioinformatics pipeline development and data management.
(6) Advise CDFW managers on salmon data for fisheries management.

This is a full time, permanent position with a 12 month probationary period.

In order to be eligible for this position, you must either be transfer eligible or take and pass the following exam.

Class Title: Research Scientist Staff/Exam Bulletin

This position is posted in the following counties: Yolo County/Sacramento County. You only need to apply to one county.

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

Working Conditions

Position is primarily focused on data analyses and management, both of which often require sitting for long periods of time and maintaining a high level of attention to detail. Work several hours in a lab setting (Both standing and sitting). Work several hours on a computer.

Typical working hours are 8:30 AM -5:00 PM Mon-Fri. Occasional field work and time sensitive projects may require travel outside of normal business hours.

Occasional travel (up to 5%), including some overnight travel operating department vehicles to remote locations when working with hatcheries and wild fishes and time sensitive projects.

Possession of a valid state driver's license is required to operate state vehicles to remote locations when working with hatcheries and wild fishes to complete field work and time sensitive projects.

Telework available in compliance with Department policies.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-516624
Position #(s):
565-033-5594-003
Working Title:
Research Scientist Staff
Classification:
RESEARCH SCIENTIST STAFF
$8,327.00 - $10,779.00
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:
Sacramento 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

- Incumbent must possess good communication skills, get along well with others and work in small groups for extended periods of time.
- Ability to interact with the public and maintain a high level of professional integrity.
- Possession of a valid state 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: 5/29/2026

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.
  • 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.

    1 page maximum

  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

    Statement of Qualification must be no more than two pages in length, size 12 point Arial font. Please respond to the following two questions.

    Question 1. Please describe your experience in managing large and complex projects. Provide an example and include information on what role you played in the project, tools and/or software utilized in the data analysis phases, and how you insured the project keep on schedule, and what were the deliverables or outcomes.

    Question 2. Please describe your educational and professional work experience in population genetics, use of databases for genetics and population management, bioinformatics and data analysis, and experience with Parentage based tagging and/or cohort reconstruction for population assessment
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:
- PhD in Fisheries, Genetics/Genomics, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology or related field
- Experience applying Bioinformatics to DNA technologies in genetic research and management
- Experience in leading complex collaborative scientific projects
- Ability to use a variety of software packages for genetic data analyses (e.g. R, Unix/Linux, Python)
- Experience in writing technical genetics reports and/or scientific journal publications as lead author
- Ability to adapt and develop protocols and pipelines for a variety of genetic assays
- Experience working with managers on policy decisions related to genetic management
- Interest in fisheries or wildlife conservation and management issues
- Experience in using computational biology to analyze complex data
- Aptitude for detail
- Good organizational skills
- Personal initiative

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:
Jay Rowan
(916) 413-5905
Jay.Rowan@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.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-033-5594-003 and RPA Number E-FB 25-028 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.

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

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.

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