Environmental Scientist

Under the supervision of the Nutria Eradication Operations Supervisor, the incumbent will serve as one of the lead field scientists for the Nutria Eradication Program. The program aims to eradicate nutria from the State of California, which are highly invasive and detrimental to the environment.

• Lead field crews conducting nutria surveys and trapping across the southern portion of the nutria infestation.
• Assist the Operations Supervisor with training, leading, and evaluating field crew technicians and scientific aides.
• Conduct habitat suitability assessments, visual observation and camera surveys, trapping, and electronic data collection.
• Work with the Operations Supervisors, other field crew leads, and Planning Specialist to evaluate and refine detection and trapping methods and tools.
• Closely coordinate with other regions and Department functions, as well as other affected and involved local, State, and Federal agencies.

• Must be willing and able to competently use firearms as per the Department's Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel.
• Must be willing and able to competently use and possess wildlife restraint drugs and equipment.
• Must be willing to handle live animals and carcasses, dispatch animals, and conduct simple tissue sampling and necropsies.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must possess valid Driver's License and be able to safely and effectively operate watercraft and UTVs, as well as tow trailers.

• Must be willing to work atypical hours and on weekends.
• Some overnight travel will be required.
• Must be able to swim, walk through deep mud and thick vegetation, deal with mosquitoes, ticks, and other stinging/biting insects, rattlesnakes and other wildlife, and work on steep or uneven terrain, in extreme weather, and under physically challenging conditions.