Forest Practice Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at:

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• This position is eligible for a hybrid telework option, in accordance with CAL FIRE’s telework policy, and will be required to report to the office as needed/required. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment

• This position may require travel up to 5% of the time. This travel may be local or statewide and may result in overnight stays.
  

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

• If using education to meet Minimum Qualification, please attach your degree and/or transcripts.

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.

1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)classification specifications.

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:

We are looking for a candidate who leads by example, continuously works on their development and improvement, is highly adaptable, maintains a positive attitude, takes initiative, has integrity, uses good judgment, and has excellent interpersonal skills.

1. Experience planning, organizing, and conducting environmental monitoring programs, including watershed, soil, hydrological, and wildlife monitoring.

2. Knowledge and experience designing and implementing hydrological and aquatic ecosystem studies, including field data collection and environmental measurements.

3. Proficiency in geospatial and statistical analysis, including GIS and modeling tools to evaluate environmental conditions and monitoring results including analysis of raster or LiDAR type spatial data.

4. Skill in synthesizing technical monitoring results into clear reports and presentations, including explanation of scientific uncertainty and resource management implications.

5. Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and regulatory agencies to evaluate timber operations and ensure compliance with Forest Practice Rules or other regulations pertaining to forest management.

6. Subject-matter expertise in biological resources, species-specific habitat requirements, and development of mitigation measures.

7. Experience contributing to landscape-scale management plans and cumulative effects analyses.

8. Strong written and oral communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

9. Ability to work independently, manage scientific assignments, and maintain professional qualifications through ongoing training.

10. Ability to respond to emergency incidents and apply environmental expertise during dynamic field conditions.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions (FP Science & Monitoring Biologist)

Applicants must submit a completed Examination/Employment Application (Std. 678), resume, copies of college degrees and official transcripts, and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ).

The SOQ is a critical component of the application process and serves as an assessment of the applicant’s functional competence, as well as the ability to present information clearly, logically, and concisely in writing. Applicants should not rely on artificial intelligence or automated tools in developing their responses. Interviews will be conducted in person and without the assistance of any reference materials; therefore, submitted materials must accurately reflect the applicant’s own knowledge, skills and abilities.

Each application package will be reviewed and evaluated by the screening committee against established, job-related criteria derived from the position duty statement (PO-199) and the SOQ scoring criteria. Based on the number and quality of applications received, only those applicants determined to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process for the purpose of identifying the best-qualified candidate for appointment.

Statement of Qualifications Guidelines (SOQ)

When preparing your SOQ, please follow these guidelines:

• The information you provide must be complete and presented in a clear and concise manner.

• Responses must be typewritten using Arial 11-point font with margins no less than ½-inch.

• Limit your response to no more than three (3) typewritten pages, single-sided.

1. Describe your experience planning, organizing, and conducting scientific monitoring or research projects involving watershed, soil, wildlife, or ecological performance. Include your role, methods used, challenges encountered, and outcomes.

2. Provide an example of a hydrological or aquatic ecosystem study you have led or contributed to. Explain the field methods, data collection techniques, analytical tools, and how your work informed resource or regulatory decisions.

3. Discuss your experience reviewing projects for environmental compliance and coordinating with multiple agencies or stakeholders. Describe how you ensured adherence to regulatory requirements and resolved technical or regulatory issues.

4. Describe your experience designing and implementing scientific monitoring protocols, including data collection and both geospatial and statistical analysis. Provide an example of how you communicated the results in a technical report or presentation, noting how you addressed scientific uncertainty, limitations, and implications for management or policy.

5. Explain your experience serving as a subject matter expert on biological resources, including how you evaluated species-specific requirements, applied best management practices, and recommended mitigation measures for resource protection.

NOTE: Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered. Resumes, letters and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS – A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.