Senior Planning Ecologist

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our Southern California Natural Resources Group as a senior level leader and mentor with expertise in business development and project management.
This role will have a focus on growth and sales and the preparation of high-quality proposals for new projects and clients within natural resources. This role is an exciting opportunity to manage and support industry leading projects and programs in the utility, energy, municipal, federal, and transportation sectors; and opportunities to lead and specialize in meaningful technical work such as complex permitting projects and large-scale environmental compliance projects.
This position will support numerous natural resource projects in the southern and central California regions, expanding as far as northern California and west covering states such as Nevada, Arizona etc including such as wildlife movement studies, Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), and large-scale environmental constraints analyses. Primary duties include growing portfolios of large-scale cutting-edge environmental projects, managing projects involving impact assessments, mitigation planning, regulatory compliance and permitting efforts including CEQA/NEPA, 404/401, CESA, and ESA, and preparing environmental documents and management plans. Candidate will coordinate with resource agency staff, lead complex environmental, waters, and/or species-related permitting projects and participate in public review processes.
Effectively responds to RFPs and develops winning proposals, including assembling proposal materials and participating in client interviews.
Manages a team to prepare large, complex natural resources documents such as Biological Technical Reports, Biological Assessments, 2081 Permit Applications, Habitat Conservation Plans, Eagle Conservation Plans, and/or Delineation Reports, Aquatic Resources Permit Applications or other Federal and State Permit Applications. Become an AECOM Certified Project Manager. Manage projects/tasks that include all aspects of environmental analysis (e.g., biological, cultural, air quality, traffic, etc.).
Manages projects with large-scale field efforts and intensive schedules.
Manages large-scale compliance projects requiring adherence to permit conditions.
Performs project management duties such as forecasting, tracking, accounting updates, invoicing, progress reports, and scheduling.
Develops work breakdown structure for control and integrity of work to be performed as and defined by the contract.
Monitors and analyzes project costs, commitments, accruals, and changes, and takes corrective action where necessary.
Identifies trends and deviations in financial performance to project team with recommended courses of action.
Operates as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects.
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. AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. 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.
Bachelor’s degree in related fields (biology, ecology, or project management/controls).
8 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in natural resources/project management with experience and expertise in Southern California ecology.
Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.
Master’s Degree in related fields (biology, ecology, or project management/controls).
15+ years of experience in natural resources/project management.
Proven track record of bringing in new work, growing projects and clients and delivering winning proposals.
Experience with career development of junior and mid-level biologists.
Experience with protocol wildlife surveys, habitat assessments, and/or botanical surveys.
Possession of valid USFWS 10(a) permits to conduct wildlife protocol surveys in southern and/or central California.
Previous experience working on environmental programs in the utility, renewables, federal, and transportation sectors in southern and/or central California
Data management experience, including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets
Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities results in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects.
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.
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.
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. 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.

Legal Entity: Business Line: Environment