Aquatic Resources Biologist

Aquatic Resources Biologist — ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 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: 2/24/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your Cal Career Account) | By Mail | Drop-off

Under the direction of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who will be responsible for preparing and reviewing complex environmental and biological documents, technical studies, and analytical reports to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and numerous state and federal environmental resource laws and regulations. The incumbent is the Aquatic Resource Biologist on Department projects and is responsible for the preparation and submittal of permit applications to various state and federal agencies, developing mitigation and monitoring plans, and handling all permit-related coordination with regulatory agency representatives.

The incumbent provides consultation recommendations; identifies and analyzes the impacts of transportation systems, corridors and projects on biological resources and formulates, calculates and quantifies measures to mitigate impacts to jurisdictional aquatic resources. The incumbent acts as a representative of the Department in negotiations with regulatory agency staff for permits and consultations, and independently manages consultant task orders. This position works with confidential and privileged information and is the responsible charge with managing cost, scope, schedule and project resources within their purview.

The incumbent must establish and maintain professional working relationships with internal project delivery partners, local partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans projects. The incumbent must be solution oriented and will need to investigate innovative solutions to meet deliverables. The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the transportation project development process through construction. The candidate must complete job-related training as needed and respond to customer service inquiries.

Strong oral and written communication skills are required to prepare technical reports and written/verbal correspondence. This position may require site visits, sometimes to remote areas, and may require driving a personal or state vehicle. Occasional overtime, travel and overnight stays may be required. Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State-owned or leased vehicle.

Eligibility and Selection
PARF# 05-26-0008/ JC- 506864

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist exam. Those without current eligibility must be on the state examination list to be eligible. For exam application, please  and search by classification title.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement
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Position located at 2885 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This position may be eligible for telework. Telework discretion and policy are at the Department’s discretion based on Caltrans policy. In-person attendance may be required; employees should be able to report to the headquarters as needed. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers HQ location and residence and may be subject to state regulations.

All commute expenses are the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The Minimum Requirements are described in the Class Specification. For Environmental Scientist, salary range includes: $4,418.00 - $6,035.00; $5,370.00 - $7,350.00; $6,796.00 - $9,321.00. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date to be considered. Dates printed on mobile bar codes (QR codes) are not postmark dates for timely…