[Closed] Science Advisor to the California Secretary for Natural Resources

August 5, 2025 | CCST Newsroom | Contact: Eric Chu

Position type: Limited-term, full-time from November 2025 to December 2026, with an opportunity for extension pending funding availability and programmatic need.

Salary range: $150,000 to $200,000 annually, dependent on expertise and experience

Location: California (hybrid)

Application deadline: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Application link:
Application Closed

Application flyer (PDF): Download

Overview

Now more than ever, there is an urgent need to support scientific partnership in government decision-making, and California is playing a leading role in creating and implementing effective policy that is informed by science. As Science Advisor to the California Secretary for Natural Resources, this position will support evidence-based decision making at the highest levels of California’s conservation and stewardship efforts and establish a new partnership for protecting California’s natural resources with the best available science and technology.

Modeled after the position of Science Advisor to the President via the White House Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP), the Science Advisor to the California Secretary for Natural Resources would support and advise the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the Agency leadership team on science and technology issues related to Agency policy decisions. The Science Advisor will work with science and technology leads from within and beyond the State government. This position builds upon the depth and breadth of science and technology expertise within CNRA and helps to support executive-level efforts on cross-cutting issues by drawing upon an independent science perspective from external expertise when appropriate.

This position will be formally employed by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) – a non-partisan, nonprofit organization established by the Legislature in 1988 with the goal of connecting leading experts in science and technology with California state policymakers – and placed in the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) on a full-time basis via a formal memorandum of understanding between CCST and CNRA. The Science Advisor will be part of the CNRA Secretary’s senior staff and participate in senior staff meetings.

Description of Responsibilities

The Science Advisor to the California Secretary for Natural Resources will serve as the Secretary’s advisor on the full range of science, technology, and innovation policy issues facing CNRA. It is critical that the Science Advisor be highly regarded and trusted as an honest broker by leaders from industry, academia, communities, and the public sector. This position requires an ability to exercise a broad range of knowledge on technical, executive management, political, and governmental issues. The Science Advisor must also be adept at communicating complex ideas in a clear and concise manner and be well-versed in diplomacy. Success in this position will depend greatly on the Science Advisor’s ability to build and maintain partnerships across the breadth of disciplines and communities represented by CNRA’s Departments.

Key responsibilities of the Science Advisor include:

Advise the Secretary and CNRA leadership on policy related to science and technology.
Advise the Secretary and leadership team on science and technology that overlaps with CNRA policy matters, where relevant.
Support CNRA Executive leadership and staff through connecting and coordinating with science and technology leads across the Agency’s Departments, Boards, Councils, and Conservancies.

Additional responsibilities of the Science Advisor may include:

Respond to requests from the Secretary and leadership team for information, analysis, evaluation, or advice.
Solicit information and ideas from a broad range of experts, including but not limited to state agencies, the academic research community, the private sector, federal research facilities and laboratories, foundations, Native American Tribes, community groups, and nonprofit organizations.
Convene policymakers among executive branch agencies and relevant scientific experts on cross-cutting issues.
Serve as the principal point-of-contact for any scientific or technical group in the state that merits CNRA executive attention.
Identify critical emerging science issues that may be of concern to CNRA

This position is expected to report directly to the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency and works closely with the Undersecretary of Natural Resources at CNRA and Deputy Director of CCST. The Science Advisor will collaborate extensively with staff across all levels at CNRA, staff and Science Fellows at CCST, and different state, tribal, community, academic, and industry partners.

Position Requirements

The Science Advisor must be someone with exceptional expertise and demonstrated experience at the intersection of science, technology, and policy. The position demands a high degree of credibility, diplomacy, and political acumen, strong integrity, and an ability to serve as a trusted honest broker at the nexus of multiple partnership networks. To be effective, the Science Advisor must be well-connected to an extensive network of interdisciplinary expertise from the science and innovation community within and beyond California. CCST provides a ready and extensive network of support that could be deployed in service of the Science Advisor similar to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

The Science Advisor shall abide by the CNRA Incompatible Activities Statement and all CNRA Personnel Policies. They must be willing and available to serve full-time in the CNRA Secretary’s office for at least 1 year, with an ideal start date of November 2025.

Required qualifications:

PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in a natural resources-related discipline, along with cross-cutting experience in multiple topics covering resource management, environmental policy, environmental justice, habitat connectivity, conservation, biodiversity, terrestrial ecosystems, environmental quality, climate change, economic development, disaster resilience, energy, public health, and/or natural landscapes.
At least 10 years of professional experience in the science, technology, higher education, or research and innovation sector.
Widely recognized in one or multiple scientific disciplines by peers in the field.
A broad understanding of and curiosity for other science and technology fields, disciplines, and industries.
Demonstrated experience in California public policy.
Strong commitment to partnership and collaboration, including across sectors, scientific disciplines, and regions.
A high degree of accountability, including recognized ability to manage a project transparently and meet multiple deadlines by organizing, prioritizing, and planning work. Must be able to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, critical and analytic thinking skills, and ability to synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
Excellent interpersonal skills and commitment to continuous learning and collaboration, with ability to work as a team member, as well as ability to work in a remote or virtual environment as necessary.

Desired qualities:

Someone who is frequently sought after by the public for their expertise and advice.
Current or recent affiliation with an accredited academic institution, research center or laboratory, a government agency, or non-partisan nonprofit or think tank.
Demonstrated record of training and mentoring early career professionals.
Ability to travel to Sacramento at least once per week for an in-person workday, which includes attending CNRA Executive Team meetings.
Ability to travel within and outside of California for approximately 20% of the time to different strategic engagements, conferences, and other duties as needed.

Salary

$150,000 – $200,000 annually, dependent on expertise and experience.

As an employee of CCST, this position will be eligible for CCST’s comprehensive benefits package. CCST’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage of up to $1,000 per month for you and eligible family members, opportunity to participate in CCST’s 403b retirement plan, relocation assistance, and group life coverage. CCST is driven by a nonprofit vision, inviting you to contribute meaningfully to building the future, making a positive impact every day, and fostering personal and career growth in a supportive work environment.

Location

Anywhere in California (hybrid).

The Science Advisor must be physically based in California. The position requires close collaboration with teams across CNRA, so regular trips to Sacramento (approximately once or twice a week) are needed to facilitate in-person meetings and events. Assistance with covering eligible relocation costs to the Sacramento region is available if needed.

To Apply

Apply for this position by submitting a cover letter and CV through our online portal, including names of 3 professional references. The cover letter should explain your interest in the position and your relevant skills and experience. Please consider answering the voluntary questions on demographic data and where you learned about this position – this information helps us understand how we can continue to improve our recruitment processes to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce.

The California Council on Science and Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We make hiring decisions based on qualifications, merit, and our organization’s business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any such status protected under federal, state, or local law.

For additional information about the opportunity, please contact CEO Julianne McCall at [email protected]. All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

Application Deadline

Applications received by Sunday, August 31, 2025, will be prioritized for review. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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About CCST

The California Council on Science and Technology is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. Modeled on the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), CCST is a unique, impartial resource for science and policy partnerships with California decision-makers, such as those within the Governor’s Office, Agencies, and the Legislature. As a trusted advisor, CCST strengthens and informs California policy with scientific knowledge and innovation across technology, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. This helps improve the lives of Californians, ensures the state remains a leader in technology and innovation, and guides global progress towards a healthy economy, society, and environment.

About CNRA

The California Natural Resources Agency oversees and supports more than 26 distinct departments, conservancies, and commissions. Our Agency Executive Team leads efforts to steward California’s natural environment and to advance Governor Newsom’s key priorities. Over 25,000 Californians work within our Agency all across the state to meet our mission to protect, manage, and restore the state’s environment and its vast natural, cultural, and historical resources. We advance this work with science as our foundation and inclusion and collaboration as our guiding principles.