California Natural Resources Agency

California Energy Commission (CEC)

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Coastal Commission

The Coastal Commission is committed to protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

State Coastal Conservancy

The Coastal Conservancy is a non-regulatory agency that supports projects to protect coastal resources and increase opportunities for the public to enjoy the coast. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Ocean Protection Council (OPC)

The OPC works to ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. To see job announcements, click here.

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)

BCDC is a California state planning and regulatory agency with regional authority over the San Francisco Bay, the Bay’s shoreline band, and the Suisun Marsh. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Department of Water Resources (DWR)

DWR manages and protects the water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Boating and Waterways Commission

The Boating and Waterways Commission advises the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways on all matters within its jurisdiction. You can find out more about job opportunities in this commission by visiting the Parks and Recreation Commission job opportunities page.

Delta Stewardship Council (DSC)

The mission of the Delta Stewardship Council is to provide a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Central Valley Flood Protection Board

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) is the State regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that appropriate standards are met for the construction, maintenance, and protection of the flood control system that protects life, property, and wildlife habitat in California’s vast and diverse Central Valley from the devastating effects of flooding. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Colorado River Board of California

The Colorado River Board of California's mission has been to protect the interests and rights of the State of California, its agencies and citizens, in the water and power resources of the Colorado River System. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

California Water Commission

The California Water Commission provides a public forum for discussing water issues, advises the Director of the Department of Water Resources on matters within the Department’s jurisdiction, approves rules and regulations, and monitors and reports on the construction and operation of the State Water Project. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Delta Protection Commission

The Delta Protection Commission protects, maintains, enhances, and enriches the overall quality of the Delta environment and economy. You can find out more about job opportunities in this commission by visiting the State Land Commission’s hiring page.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

The California Parks and Recreation’s mission is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Office of Historic Preservation

Housed within the California Department of Parks and Recreation, The California Office of Historic Preservation administers federally and state mandated historic preservation programs to further the identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of California’s irreplaceable resources. You can find out more about job opportunities by visiting the Parks and Recreation job opportunities page.

California African American Museum

The California African American Museum's mission is to research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment the history, art, and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on California and the western United States. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Science Center

The California Science Center provides an innovative model for science learning by combining exhibits with an on-site Science Center School and Amgen Center for Science Learning as well as a teacher professional development program. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Exposition Park

Exposition Park in the south region of Los Angeles, California, is a 160-acre urban park. Established in 1872 as an agricultural fairground, it includes the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Banc of California Stadium, the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the California African American Museum. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission

Housed within the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Program was created to manage growing demands for off-highway recreation, while at the same time foster respect for private property rights and protect California's natural and cultural resources. You can find out more about job opportunities in this commission by visiting the Parks and Recreation job opportunities page.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Mission of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Baldwin Hills Conservancy

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy's mission is to acquire open space and manage public lands within the Baldwin Hills area and to provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat within the territory for the public's enjoyment and educational experience. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

California Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy’s mission is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy’s mission is to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. While the Conservancy does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was established to preserve over 75,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings, and improved more than 114 public recreational facilities throughout Southern California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy

The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy is a state agency established in 1991 to pursue this mission, and is directed by a 20-member governing board to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is a California state agency established through bi-partisan legislation to initiate, encourage, and support efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

San Joaquin River Conservancy

The San Joaquin River Conservancy is a regionally governed agency created to develop and manage the San Joaquin River Parkway, a planned 22-mile natural and recreational area in the floodplain extending from Friant Dam to Highway 99. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy is in charge of the implementation of ecosystem restoration in the Delta and supports efforts that advance environmental protection and the economic well-being of Delta residents. While the Conservancy does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation is in charge of oil and gas drilling operations, mining, and farmland conservation, and researches earthquake hazards and geology. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Conservation Corps

The California Conservation Corps is the oldest and largest conservation corps in the country that develops thousands of young men and women into citizens with character, credentials and commitment, offering work in environmental conservation, fire protection, land maintenance, and emergency response to natural disasters. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

State Lands Commission

The State Lands Commission manages 4 million acres of tide and submerged lands and the beds of natural navigable rivers, streams, lakes, bays, estuaries, inlets, and straits. These lands, often referred to as sovereign or Public Trust lands, stretch from the Klamath River and Goose Lake in the north to the Tijuana Estuary in the south, and the Colorado River in the east, and from the Pacific Coast 3 miles offshore in the west to world-famous Lake Tahoe in the east, and includes California’s two longest rivers, the Sacramento and San Joaquin. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Mining and Geology Board

The State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) serves as a regulatory, policy, and hearing body representing the State's interests in geology, geologic, and seismologic hazards, conservation of mineral resources, and reclamation of mined lands. You can find out more about job opportunities in this board by visiting the Department of Conservation hiring page.

Baldwin Hills Conservancy

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy's mission is to acquire open space and manage public lands within the Baldwin Hills area and to provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat within the territory for the public's enjoyment and educational experience. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

California Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy’s mission is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy’s mission is to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. While the Conservancy does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was established to preserve over 75,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings, and improved more than 114 public recreational facilities throughout Southern California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy

The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy is a state agency established in 1991 to pursue this mission, and is directed by a 20-member governing board to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is a California state agency established through bi-partisan legislation to initiate, encourage, and support efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Mission of the Department of Fish and Wildlife is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

California Fish and Game Commission

The California Fish and Game Commission’s decisions are intended to create a healthy, biodiverse and natural California in which native fish and wildlife thrive within dynamic ecosystems and inspire human interaction and enjoyment. You can find out more about job opportunities in this commission by visiting the Department of Fish and Wildlife hiring page.

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Board of Forestry

The Board is a government-appointed body within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It is responsible for developing the general forest policy of the state and for determining the guidance policies of the Department. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

California Conservation Corps

The California Conservation Corps is the oldest and largest conservation corps in the country that develops thousands of young men and women into citizens with character, credentials and commitment, offering work in environmental conservation, fire protection, land maintenance, and emergency response to natural disasters. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)

The California Native American Heritage Commission is a nine-member body whose members are appointed by the Governor. The NAHC identifies, catalogs, and protects Native American cultural resources -- ancient places of special religious or social significance to Native Americans and known ancient graves and cemeteries of Native Americans on private and public lands in California. While the Commission does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

Baldwin Hills Conservancy

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy's mission is to acquire open space and manage public lands within the Baldwin Hills area and to provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat within the territory for the public's enjoyment and educational experience. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

California Tahoe Conservancy

The California Tahoe Conservancy’s mission is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Central Valley Flood Protection Board

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) is the State regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that appropriate standards are met for the construction, maintenance, and protection of the flood control system that protects life, property, and wildlife habitat in California’s vast and diverse Central Valley from the devastating effects of flooding. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

Colorado River Board of California

The Colorado River Board of California's mission has been to protect the interests and rights of the State of California, its agencies and citizens, in the water and power resources of the Colorado River System. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

San Diego River Conservancy

The San Diego River Conservancy is an independent, non-regulatory state agency established to preserve, restore and enhance the San Diego River Area. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy’s mission is to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. While the Conservancy does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was established to preserve over 75,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings, and improved more than 114 public recreational facilities throughout Southern California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy

The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy is a state agency established in 1991 to pursue this mission, and is directed by a 20-member governing board to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy is in charge of the implementation of ecosystem restoration in the Delta and supports efforts that advance environmental protection and the economic well-being of Delta residents. While the Conservancy does not have a hiring page, new job opportunities are posted on their home page.

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission

BCDC is a California state planning and regulatory agency with regional authority over the San Francisco Bay, the Bay’s shoreline band, and the Suisun Marsh. For information on hiring and employment opportunities, click here.

San Joaquin River Conservancy

The San Joaquin River Conservancy is a regionally governed agency created to develop and manage the San Joaquin River Parkway, a planned 22-mile natural and recreational area in the floodplain extending from Friant Dam to Highway 99. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is a California state agency established through bi-partisan legislation to initiate, encourage, and support efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. Please stay tuned for employment information and hiring resources. In the meantime, feel free to check out their website.

CNRA – Office of the Secretary

The California Natural Resources Agency oversees and supports more than 26 distinct departments, conservancies, and commissions. The Agency Executive Team leads efforts to steward California’s natural environment and to advance Governor Newsom’s key priorities. Over 19,000 Californians work within our Agency all across the state to meet our mission “to restore, protect and manage the state's natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration, and respect for all the communities and interests involved. You can find open job opportunities in the Office of the Secretary by clicking here.

Entry Level Exams to Take

If you are looking for your first job out of high school or college check out these exams.

Office Assistant

This is an entry level position. Under close supervision as a trainee, Office Assistants perform general clerical duties. In addition to performing the above-mentioned duties, an Office Assistant typically has typing duties that comprise a significant proportion of their work time.

Office Technician

An Office Technician (General) is a more advanced office position that regularly performs a variety of the most difficult duties and is expected to consistently exercise a high degree of initiative, independence and originality in performing assigned tasks. Some Office Technicians may guide, train, or assist less experienced clerical employees. In addition to performing the above-mentioned Office Technician (General) duties, an Office Technician (Typing) typically has typing duties that comprise a significant proportion of their work time.

Staff Services Analyst

A Staff Services Analyst performs analytical work of average difficulty in a wide variety of assignments such as program evaluation and planning, systems development, budgeting, training, management and personnel analysis; and does other related work.

State departments hire Student Assistants using two different options.

Option #1: The department advertises their own vacancies and hires student assistants directly. For additional information about the student job classifications listed below, select the title under the classification heading. For information regarding current open Student Assistant positions, select the current posted vacancies information listed under vacancies and adjacent to the classification you are interested in.

Option #2: The department hires their student assistants through a partnership program with a local college. Many state agencies use University Enterprises Inc. (UEI) and the Community College Foundation (CCF) when filling their student assistant vacancies. Contact your local college, UEI or CCF to inquire about gaining student employment through a program with a local college(s).

It is important to understand that UEI/CCF Student Assistant positions are part-time, non-benefited positions, whereas civil service Student Assistants do earn some benefits.