Senior Biologist

About the role

Your impact When it comes to environmental consulting, we’re focused on helping address the greatest challenges facing our planet—supporting resilient infrastructure, protecting sensitive natural resources, and enabling sustainable growth. We are seeking a Senior Biologist to lead and support biological resource and environmental compliance efforts across Southern California.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in biological field surveys, impact assessments, and resource evaluations for a variety of projects throughout Southern California.
• Serve as a technical lead for projects involving federally and state-listed and protected species.
• Prepare and review technical deliverables, including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, mitigation and monitoring plans, and environmental compliance documents.
• Support environmental compliance efforts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Fish and Wildlife Code, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and Section 10 permitting, and applicable local regulations.
• Cook up and coordinate directly with regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and local jurisdictions.
• Develop avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies to support project planning and permitting success.
• Lead tasks, support project budgets and schedules, and contribute to client communication in coordination with project managers.
• Provide mentorship, training, and technical oversight to early-career biologists and field staff.
• Support and champion Jacobs' safety culture by following established safety procedures and field protocols.
• Act as a champion of Jacobs' TogetherBeyond culture of inclusion, collaboration, and professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field with a biological emphasis.
• Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible experience as a professional biologist or environmental consultant.
• Permits or demonstrated experience with the following species and/or survey techniques:
• Invertebrates: Branchiopods
• California ESA candidate bumble bee species, including Crotch’s bumble bee
• Quino checkerspot butterfly
• Fish: Steelhead
• Amphibians: Arroyo toad, California red-legged frog
• Reptiles: Blainville’s (coast) horned lizard, Blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Coachella Valley fringed-toed lizard, Mojave desert tortoise, Southwestern pond turtle
• Birds: Bald eagle, Coastal California gnatcatcher (active USFWS Region 8 10(a)(1)(A) Recovery Permit), Golden eagle, Least Bell’s vireo, Light-footed Ridgway’s rail, Southwestern willow flycatcher, Western burrowing owl, Western snowy plover, Yellow-billed cuckoo, Yuma Ridgway’s rail
• Mammals: Bats, Los Angeles pocket mouse, Mohave ground squirrel, Stephens’ kangaroo rat

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting construction monitoring and biological compliance programs.
• Familiarity with Southern California ecosystems, land use planning, and regional conservation issues.
• Experience working on transportation or infrastructure projects involving wildlife crossings or habitat connectivity planning.
• Experience leading or supporting camera trap studies.

Skills

• Strong technical writing skills, including preparation of biological reports and environmental compliance documentation.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and permitting processes.
• Proven ability to lead tasks or small projects with a focus on quality, client service, schedule, and budget.
• Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork in variable terrain and weather conditions.

Benefits

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to a 401(k) plan, as well as legally mandated benefits. The base salary range for this position is $127,700.00 to $199,550.00; though will be paid hourly based on hours worked. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.