OPC is Hiring!

Join Our Team

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring three (3) Environmental Scientists to advance strategic priorities related to OPC’s mission and the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan: Safeguarding Our Coast and Ocean for All Californians. Each role will also be responsible for supporting California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) policy initiatives, which include embedding equity and environmental justice into programs and actions to support statewide efforts to enhance, protect, and restore biodiversity and increase coastal resilience.

• Coastal Resilience Program Manager (JC-505251) – Apply Here by February 11, 2026
  The Environmental Scientist will help advance OPC’s strategic priorities related to sea level rise, marine debris, offshore wind, and other stressors to coastal resilience. This position will specifically advance local and regional sea level planning and adaptation through the OPC Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program.

• Biodiversity Program Manager (JC-503234) – Apply Here by February 10, 2026
  The Environmental Scientist will help advance OPC’s strategic priorities related to coastal, marine, and estuarine biodiversity. The Environmental Scientist will support efforts to conserve 30 percent of California’s coastal waters by 2030 (30×30), adaptively manage California’s marine protected area network, improve coordinated monitoring and data management, and strengthen conservation at the land-sea interface.

• Biodiversity Program Manager & Coordinating Tribal Liaison (JC-503266) – Apply Here by February 10, 2026
  The Environmental Scientist will help advance tribal co-management and collaborative stewardship, support tribally-led research and monitoring, and ensure meaningful consideration of tribal science and Traditional Knowledges in OPC-funded projects and across state ocean and coastal programs. This position will be designated as Coordinating Tribal Liaison to support implementation of OPC’s Tribal Engagement Strategy and OPC’s Departmental Tribal Liaison in broader tribal affairs.

Applicants should have a strong scientific background, working knowledge of coastal and ocean issues and stakeholders in California, and experience working with California Native American tribes, if applicable. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to become proficient in new and emerging topics, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks are a must.

Experience working with the state’s natural resource management agencies is beneficial, but not required.

Review the minimum qualifications for an Environmental Scientist, including necessary education and experience. Completion of the Environmental Scientist State Civil Service Examination is required, and exam scores must rank in the top three tiers within the applicant pool to be further considered in the application process.

Each position is considered Remote-Centered, which means incumbents would telework 50% or more of the time within a work month from an alternate work location. OPC staff are currently required to work from CNRA headquarters located in Sacramento a minimum of two days a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays. These positions are eligible for partial teleworking in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy, however, each position will be required to report to the office as needed/required.

OPC is a Cabinet-level state policy body that works to ensure healthy coastal and ocean ecosystems by advancing innovative, science-based policy and management, making strategic investments, and catalyzing action through partnerships and collaboration.