Resources Specialist

About Us

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. (Sequoia) is a small, woman-owned environmental consulting firm specializing in environmental planning, wildlife and fish biology, botanical, and arboricultural services. We serve federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as private clients throughout California. Our team develops creative solutions to complex projects through proactive planning, collaboration, and attention to detail.

Summary Description

You’re Excited about this Opportunity Because… You share our values. You will thrive supporting environmental permitting and compliance projects based in our Walnut Creek office. You will leverage your understanding of biology, state and federal regulations, and project management to lead moderately complex projects or programs located throughout California for a variety of clients. We are looking for a dynamic individual who enjoys working independently and with teams. You are experienced in project management and coordination, deliverable oversight and QAQC, business development, field survey coordination, impacts analysis, permit assessments, and report preparation for biological work. This individual will be a member of the Sequoia supervisory team and will supervise 2-4 team members. Travel may be necessary, with mostly day trips within the Sacramento and/or San Francisco Bay areas. Occasional overnight travel will also be expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as lead for survey and reporting programs
• Interpret complex compliance packages, permits and project scopes to ensure compliance in the field. Make compliance decisions independently.
• Prepare complex biological resources technical reports and/or habitat restoration plans for moderately complex projects.
• Manage field mapping of existing biological resources for large and/or complex projects.
• Write sound Biological Constraints Analyses. Assess potential constraints to development and construction based on documented conditions and applicable laws/regulations protecting biological resources (such as Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act).
• Produce documents that are consistently free of glaring or repeated technical and grammatical errors.
• Interact/coordinate with clients on a weekly basis.
• Lead author for completing permit applications such as CDFW LSAA, USFWS Section 7 Biological Assessment, Biological Resource Reports and other technical reports to support CEQA, etc.
• Perform protocol-level and/or focused surveys for sensitive (e.g., federally listed Threatened or Endangered) plant or animal species.
• Absess potential constraints to development and construction based on documented conditions and applicable laws/regulations protecting biological resources (such as Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act) and assess potential effects on biological resources of proposed developments or actions.
• Develop cost estimates and scopes of work for complex construction compliance projects, under the direct supervision of a Principal.
• Assist with marketing proposals.
• Attend site walk-downs and pre-bid meetings.
• Create and perform biological trainings for construction and/or operation crews.
• Act as Project Coordinator to coordinate complex projects, resources and schedule.
• Act as a Project manager for projects specifically related to specialty or skills.
• Function as a Project Biologist as needed.
• Delegate assigned tasks to less experienced staff as appropriate and act as their mentor.
• May be required to supervise 1-2 Field Tech(s) or Staff Biologists(s).
• Consistently comply with all company administrative and technical policies and procedures, including time and expense reporting, standard operating procedures and other company directives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, English, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success working as a Project Biologist.
• Perform field studies independently with minimal supervison.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or related field.
• The equivalent of a minimum of 6 years of full-time wildlife fieldwork, technical report and permit writing experience and at least 4 of those in California.
• Master’s Degree may substitute up to 2 years of experience, depending on degree and thesis work.
• Specialized federal 10(a)1(A) recovery permits and/or state MOUs relevant to Sequoia’s work may provide an additional year to count towards experience.
• Working understanding of California flora/fauna and regulatory environment.
• Deliberate verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Familiar with GIS Mapping tools and able to navigate existing tools.
• Approvable as a Project or Designated Biologist level by regulatory agencies for at least one species.
• Able to work long field days.
• Able to traverse difficult terrain.
• Able to work long field days and drive long distance.
• Valid Driver’s license.
• Able to perform fieldwork and/or travel up to 60-75% of time.
• Overnight stays up to 25-50% of the time, depending on projects assigned.