About This Role
This position entails serving as a Gray Wolf biologist for northern California, assisting with the state's growing Gray Wolf conservation program. The role suits a highly-motivated individual who wants to use their field biology skills to promote endangered species recovery and resolve human-wildlife conflicts.
Responsibilities
- Work with existing Gray Wolf Program biologists to determine the distribution and abundance of Gray Wolves in northern California and their ecological relationships with other wildlife species
- Prevent Gray Wolf conflicts with livestock production
- Contribute to public outreach on Gray Wolf ecology and conservation
- Drive 4-wheel drive and/or all-terrain vehicles
- Set up and monitor trail cameras
- Survey for Gray Wolf tracks, scats, and other signs
- Deploy non-lethal deterrent measures to prevent Gray Wolf conflicts with livestock
- Participate in public meetings and other outreach events for parties interested in Gray Wolf ecology and conservation
- Contribute to field surveys to document the distribution and abundance of Gray Wolves, including camera traps, hand-held telemetry, and survey for tracks, scat, and other signs
- Assist with Gray Wolf capture and telemetry collaring efforts
- Collect, manage, and summarize field data on Gray Wolves, including camera trap videos and biological samples
- Contribute to summary reports and management recommendations for CDFW leadership
- Conduct field investigations of suspected Gray Wolf depredations on livestock
- Provide technical assistance to livestock producers on the use of non-lethal measures to deter Gray Wolves from livestock areas
- Participate in public meetings on Gray Wolf ecology and conservation
Requirements
- Willingness to work long, irregular hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, typically outdoors, occasionally in inclement weather
- Ability and willingness to hike several miles alone in steep uneven terrain
- Ability to safely operate 4-wheel drive (4WD) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) off paved roads
- Ability to fly in small aircraft to conduct field surveys of wolves, other wildlife, and wildlife habitats
- Required travel up to 80% throughout northern California and occasionally to other regions of California, with regular camping in informal campgrounds
- Compliance with a policy that generally prohibits dogs and other pets in the workplace / field / vehicles unless approved through reasonable accommodation
- Ability to lift items up to 40 lbs
- Ability to use a computer keyboard in a sitting and/or standing position several hours per day
- Ability to qualify to use a firearm (for chemical immobilization of…)
- Eligibility for transfer or passing the required exam
Benefits
- Full health, dental, and vision benefits during the 12-month Limited Term assignment
- State Service accrual
- Monthly leave credits accrual
Important Details
- Application deadline: 2026-10-20
- Contract: 12-month Limited Term (LT), may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent
- Schedule: State employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours, effective July 1, 2025
- Work format: 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
About the Company
The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region is seeking to assist with the state's growing Gray Wolf conservation program.
