Staff Biologist

Job Description

STAFF LEVEL BIOLOGIST — OP ENVIRONMENTAL

ABOUT OP ENVIRONMENTAL

OP Environmental is a growing Southern California environmental consulting firm providing biological resources assessments, regulatory permitting support, and field services across coastal Southern California — from Santa Barbara to Orange County. Our work supports major utility clients as well as private and public developments, and spans CEQA review, Coastal Development Permits, nesting bird management, and construction compliance monitoring.

We are seeking a staff level biologist (approximately 4 years of professional experience) to join our team in a role that mixes independent field work and technical reporting with desktop-based project coordination — a position with real room to grow into project management.

WHY JOIN US

- Small, tight-knit team that's growing. You won't be a number in a bench pool — you'll work directly with the firm's leaders, see projects end to end, and have a real voice in how we work. As we grow, you grow with us.

- Fully remote, no office commute. Write your reports from home; your commute is to the field, not a cubicle.

- Meaningful, varied work. One week monitoring nesting raptors in the Santa Monica Mountains; the next supporting a Coastal Development Permit in Huntington Beach. Real biology in real places, with real regulatory consequences.

- Skill-building by design. Field work, technical writing, GIS, project coordination, and agency interaction all in one role — the full consulting toolkit, fast.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Conduct and monitor biological field surveys, including pre- construction/clearance surveys, habitat assessments, and construction compliance monitoring

- Perform nesting bird surveys and prepare nesting bird survey reports and monitoring documentation in compliance with the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code

- Prepare draft technical reports and memoranda (biological resources reports, survey reports, CEQA and permit support documents) for senior review

- Collect field data using GPS and mobile mapping applications; maintain accurate field notes and photo documentation

- Assist with desktop-based project coordination: tracking objectives and priorities across a diverse set of projects and clients, preparing environmental requirements and resource measures, and participating in regular team coordination meetings

- Support geospatial analysis, GIS mapping, and exhibit/figure preparation for reports

- Assist with QA/QC of reports and deliverables, and with database/records management and maintenance

QUALIFICATIONS

- B.S./B.A. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field

- Applicants must reside in Los Angeles, Orange, or Ventura Counties

- Approximately 4 years (3-5 years) of professional experience in biological consulting or related field work

- Working knowledge of Southern California flora, fauna, and sensitive/special-status species

- Hands-on habitat assessment and monitoring experience, including vegetation mapping and species documentation

- Familiarity with CEQA, federal and California Endangered Species Acts, MBTA, and (a plus) the California Coastal Act

- Strong technical writing skills — able to produce clean draft reports with minimal rework

- Organized and self-directed — comfortable juggling priorities across multiple projects and communicating proactively with a small remote team

- Strong attention to detail and a track record of following standard operating procedures (SOPs), survey protocols, and reporting templates consistently

- GIS proficiency (ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, or similar) is a big plus

- Valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to work early-morning field starts and variable schedules

- Residency requirement: Must reside in Los Angeles County or Orange County.

COMPENSATION & SCHEDULE

- $35-$45/hour depending on experience and qualifications

- Position can be structured as full-time or part-time depending on the candidate

- Fully remote outside of field assignments — mix of scheduled field work and flexible report-writing time from home

BENEFITS (FULL-TIME)

- Paid time off: 10 vacation days (80 hours) per year, accrued per payroll period; 9 paid holidays; 5 sick days (40 hours) per year for personal or family illness/emergencies

- Healthcare stipend: $500/month to support your healthcare and wellness needs. As a growing firm we do not currently offer group medical insurance, but we anticipate expanding benefits as the company scales

- Retirement: Traditional and Roth 401(k) with a 1:1 employer match up to 4% and immediate vesting; eligibility after six months of employment

- Professional development: Support for training, conferences, and career growth aligned with our scaling operations

- Structured growth: 90-day introductory review to set goals, then annual reviews to evaluate growth, responsibilities, and compensation adjustments

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a resume and brief cover note describing your field survey and reporting experience. Including examples of nesting bird survey work or GIS deliverables is encouraged.

OP Environmental is an equal opportunity employer.