Environmental Scientist

and Duties Are you interested in advocating for natural resources, spending your workdays in beautiful outdoor settings, and interacting with a diverse array of agencies and public interest groups? If so, the Northern Region Inland Permitting and Compliance (PaC) Unit encourages you to apply for the position of Environmental Scientist based out of our Redding office. Work will occur primarily in the rugged mountains and valleys of Trinity County with opportunities to work in Shasta, Tehama, Siskiyou, Lassen, and Modoc Counties. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work alongside a fantastic and supportive group of experienced environmental professionals within the PaC team.
Under close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisory, the successful applicant will have responsibility for conducting environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, implementing the Lake and Streambed Alteration Program and California Endangered Species Act, reviewing water rights applications submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board, and participating with county permit review with a focus on cannabis cultivation and licensing projects within the Northern Region. Activities require knowledge of California fish and wildlife resources, ecological principles, lake and stream processes, and applicable permitting and environmental laws. The successful applicant will apply knowledge of environmental impacts with a high degree of personal initiative, and assist in coordinating with other CDFW regions and partners on concerns involving the statewide cannabis program.

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

Class Title: Environmental Scientist

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least two (2) days per week. 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.

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:

Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR.

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

Working Conditions

The position requires the use of a computer and Microsoft Office software up to eight hours each day, the completion of office tasks that require sitting, standing, and walking to other locations; attendance at meetings and participation in conference or video calls. The position may require travel throughout the State including overnight travel for multiple days at a time. Use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and filed sites where public transportation is not readily available. Early mornings, late nights, hiking long distances over uneven and possibly steep or wet terrain, use of 4-wheel drive vehicles (including all-terrain vehicles), and work in inclement weather are required. This position may include the operation of, or being a passenger on, a boat. The position may require the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff.