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Senior Molecular Ecologist

Employer
California Department of Water Resources
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist to lead genetic monitoring and applied fisheries research within our Collaborative Science and Innovation (CSI) Section. In this role, you will serve as the primary investigator for our Parentage-Based Tagging (PBT) work, designing and executing genetic studies that determine the natal origin of Chinook Salmon at State Water Project facilities, distinguish hatchery- and natural-origin fish, and evaluate hatchery release strategies. Your work will directly inform adaptive management decisions for one of the most complex and consequential water systems in the nation.

You will lead the development of DWR's PBT capabilities from establishing molecular laboratory workflows and genotyping protocols to helping to build bioinformatics pipelines, QA/QC systems, and automated reporting tools. Collaboration is central to this role: you will coordinate with hatcheries, field monitoring programs, and interagency partners, and represent DWR before state and federal stakeholders. Strong candidates will be equally comfortable at the bench and in the command line, with experience in fisheries genetics, population genomics, or closely related fields.

The ideal candidate will possess expertise in genetics, fisheries science, conservation biology, bioinformatics, or a closely related scientific discipline and have experience leading applied genetic investigations that support natural resource management, species conservation, or regulatory decision-making.  Experience developing, implementing, optimizing, and troubleshooting molecular laboratory workflows, genetic analysis methods, and other technical approaches used in fisheries genetics or aquatic resource investigations is highly desirable.  Experience leading or supporting Parentage-Based Tagging (PBT) programs for salmonid species, including Chinook Salmon, is strongly preferred.

Candidates should have demonstrated experience developing and applying analytical workflows, bioinformatic pipelines, and genetic databases to support complex scientific studies.  Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures for laboratory, analytical, and data management activities is desirable.  Experience managing scientific projects, including coordinating priorities, budgets, contracts, schedules, and deliverables, is also desirable.

The successful candidate will have experience coordinating scientific efforts among agencies, laboratories, monitoring programs, resource managers, and other partners, and managing complex multidisciplinary or multiagency projects.  Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, including experience preparing scientific reports, publications, presentations, technical guidance documents, protocols, standard operating procedures, and other scientific products for diverse audiences.  Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical guidance to scientific staff, students, or collaborators is highly desirable.

Job Field:
Fisheries
Job Type:
Full Time
Location Detail:
West Sacramento, California
Salary:
$93,840 - $128,784
Job Benefits:

DWR employees are eligible for a number of benefits.  Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees and some permanent, part-time employees.  Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Free Parking
  • Telework Opportunities
  • Health, Dental & Vision Benefits
  • Paid Sick & Vacation
  • Retirement
  • Basic Group Term Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • 401(k) & 457 plans
  • Student Loan Forgiveness
  • Long Term Care
  • Group Legal Services

We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores, and restaurants.  Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

Application Deadline:

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