Senior Biologist

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Job Description

AECOM is seeking a highly talented Senior Biologist for immediate employment within our Environmental Planning and Permitting Group in our Honolulu AECOM office. This is a full-time, hybrid role.

This position will support transportation, military, and industry projects in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, including management of technical work on both federal and state permitting and compliance projects. 

Primary duties include managing environmental aspects of projects involving regulatory compliance and permitting efforts for Hawaii and Pacific Islands Projects including federal (ESA, EFH, NEPA, 404/401) and state (HRS 343, 6e, NPDES, 195D) regulations, and preparing environmental documents and management plans in support of those consultations. Candidate will coordinate with state and federal clients to lead complex environmental and/or species-related permitting projects and participate in public review processes. Candidate will contribute to growth of department through marketing pursuits including proposal preparation, interviews, and business development.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare large, complex natural resources documents such as Biological Assessments, Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). Operate as primary author or senior reviewer as appropriate.
• Manages projects/tasks that include all aspects of environmental analysis (e.g. state and federal)
• Manages projects with large-scale field efforts and intensive schedules
• Manages large-scale compliance projects requiring adherence to permit conditions
• Assists project managers in performing duties such as forecasting, tracking, accounting updates, invoicing, progress reports, and scheduling
• Reviews contracts for understanding of scope, fee, schedule, and deliverables, and all other contractual obligations
• Operates as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects
• Performs client management duties such as recurring status meetings, milestone check ins, and day-to-day interfacing
• Focuses on supporting career development of junior staff in the practice
• Successfully contributes to competitive proposals
• Participates in interviews with large or small team for a variety of clients
• Contributes to growth of practice through business development

About AECOM’s Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it. We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.

AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

Qualifications

Minimum

Qualifications

:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (biology, ecology).
• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in natural resources and project management in Hawaii or the Pacific Islands.
• A valid driver’s license is required , along with the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check in accordance with company policy.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Master’s Degree in related field (biology, ecology) is preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in natural resources/project management.
• Experience with Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act and preparing Essential Fish Habitat Assessments.
• Expertise in identifying threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species and leading protocol wildlife surveys, habitat assessments, and botanical surveys in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands for protected, threatened and endangered plants and wildlife as well as invasive and noxious species.
• Experience implementing survey methodologies that are appropriate for the species such as acoustic detectors.
• Proven expertise preparing complex robust ESA Section 7 Act and National Environmental Policy Act packages for projects in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
• Experience preparing documents under state of Hawaii regulations such as 195D, HRS 343, NPDES, 6e, SMA, etc.
• Excellence in technical writing including field reports, Biological Assessments, resource sections of EAs and EISs.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills to be used not only in preparation of documents, but also quality control of documents prepared by others.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
• Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects.
• Team player with excellent listening skills and diplomacy.
• Data management experience, including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets.
• Willingness to work with multiple colleagues on a variety of initiatives.

Additional Information

• Relocation is not available for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

 

About AECOM  

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options ,  well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work  

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.