Senior Molecular Ecologist

Role Description

This position at the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) offers an exciting opportunity to advance the applied use of genetics to support fish conservation and manage statewide water resources. As a member of the DWR Collaborative Science and Innovation Section and Genetic Monitoring Laboratory, the incumbent will be responsible for leading development and implementation of Parentage-Based Tagging (PBT) and other innovative genetic monitoring approaches to address complex aquatic resource management questions in the San Francisco Estuary.

Qualifications

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 Code: JC-521424

Salary

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month

Work Location: Yolo County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Hiring Unit Contact

Gareth Johnson

(916) 882-0989

***email_hidden***

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

Company Description

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.