Staff Natural Resources Biologist

The Opportunity

In this role as a Staff Natural Resources Biologist , you will have the opportunity to:  

• Work with a dynamic team within an established global infrastructure and engineering company, collaborating with a team of natural resources biologists and other multi-discipline environmental consultants and engineers to lead and support a wide range of terrestrial biological desktop and field studies and support related permitting activities in the Western US with a focus on California. 

The Team

Our Environmental team is a multidisciplinary team of ecologists, engineers, scientists, project managers, and attorneys working together to identify optimum environmental solutions for our clients.  We have provided environmental consulting services in support of projects for over 40 years including a diverse and growing mix of infrastructure projects such as power generation (conventional and renewable) and transmission, oil and gas facilities and pipelines, water and wastewater treatment facilities, data centers, and food and beverage industries. As a full-service environmental consulting practice, services include impact assessment and planning, regulatory compliance and permitting, wetland and floodplain analysis, waterbody and water quality assessment, air quality permitting and management, environmental remediation, site due diligence, environmental noise assessment, pollution prevention planning, and climate action solutions. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support wetland and other waters delineations, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, and related desktop and field evaluations for projects in California and elsewhere in the Western US. 
• Conduct or support special-status species and habitat surveys, biological reconnaissance, and field data collection in support of infrastructure, utility, water, energy, and other development projects. 
• Prepare and contribute to biological resource analyses for CEQA and NEPA documentation by evaluating existing conditions, identifying potential impacts, and developing avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures. 
• Identify and interpret applicable local, state, and federal biological resource regulations and permitting requirements, including Clean Water Act Sections 401, 404, and 408, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, CESA, federal ESA, and California Department of Fish Lake and Streambed Alteration Program. 
• Prepare permit applications and technical support materials for agency review, including USACE, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, CDFW, USFWS, and other relevant resource agencies. 
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies and multidisciplinary project teams to define biological study needs, support permitting strategies, and advance project delivery. 
• Provide technical consulting support to clients and internal teams, including interpretation of biological constraints, review of project plans, and preparation of clear, defensible technical documentation. 

Management Responsibilities

Individual Contributor

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field strongly preferred. Advanced study, specialized training, or directly relevant experience may be considered where it uniquely supports the role. 
• 5+ years of solutions-oriented environmental consulting experience, including work on biological resources for infrastructure, utility, water, energy, or other development projects in California. Experience in additional Western US states a plus. Graduate work may count if directly applicable to job function. 
• Experience preparing or supporting biological resource analyses for CEQA and, where applicable, NEPA documentation, including impact assessment and development of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures. 
• Working knowledge of California and federal biological resource regulations and permitting requirements, including CESA, federal ESA, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, California Department of Fish Lake and Streambed Alteration Program, and related agency review processes. 
• Experience conducting or supporting wetland and other waters delineations, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, special-status species surveys, and biological field documentation. 
• Experience with Federal and State regulatory agencies and resources within California. 
• Experience with field to office data and mapping capabilities including ArcGIS and CAD.
• Experience preparing mitigation plans.
• Familiarity with agency coordination and permitting support involving USACE, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, CDFW, USFWS, and other relevant regulatory agencies. 
• Familiarity with GIS and California biological data resources such as CNDDB, BIOS, CNPS Rare Plant Inventory, and related desktop screening and mapping tools. 
• The applicant is encouraged disclose any experience/skillsets with unique ecosystems, such as coastal/near-shore marine environments to deserts.
• Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear biological reports and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and clients. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or professional degree in Sciences in area of expertise preferred with specialized training, or experience that uniquely qualifies the individual to perform the job responsibilities. 
• A minimum total of 5+ years of related work experience. Graduate work may count as related work experience if directly applicable to job function. 
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations. 

Work Environment and Schedule

• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments. 
• Ability to utilize audio/videoconferencing software tools for internal/external communication 
• Sitting/standing/computer usage for extended periods of time 
• Ability to perform fieldwork in a range of California environments, including remote or undeveloped sites, uneven terrain, and variable weather conditions, with occasional early morning starts and multi-day field assignments. 
• Travel throughout California and other locations in the Western US is required, including day trips and overnight travel to support field surveys, site assessments, agency meetings, and project coordination. Travel up to 25%.