Restoration Permitting Specialist

Job Posting

CDFW North Central Region (Region
2) Habitat Conservation Program is hiring! From high mountain meadows to Sacramento Valley floodplains, we're looking for a passionate scientist ready to invest in a resilient restoration future that meets the needs of California's ecosystems.

Under the general direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) in the Habitat Conservation Program within the North Central Region Water Resources and Infrastructure unit, this position serves in a lead role as part of a statewide team that assists in the administration of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Cutting the Green Tape (CGT) Program, to increase the pace, scale, and quality of environmental restoration through coordination of restoration project development, expedited environmental review and permitting pathways, and restoration grant management.

This scientist will partner on restoration projects from inception to implementation! Specifically, this position will cover the following four primary duties: restoration permitting and environmental review, coordination and communication with the restoration community, Cutting the Green Tape program implementation, and grant management.

The position will be a vital member in implementing our Cutting the Green Tape program. California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Cutting the Green Tape program increases the pace, scale, and quality of habitat restoration and native species recovery projects in California by improving environmental review and permitting efficiencies. The position will develop draft Statutory Exemptions for Restoration Project (SERP) concurrences, prepare Restoration Management Permits (RMP), prepare Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HREA) approval documents, as well as draft other California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorizations.

In addition, the position will serve as grant manager for select restoration grants. The work will occur across the entirety of the North Central Region.

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.

This position 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.