Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist

About the role

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. Jacobs is seeking a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist to join our dynamic and supportive team who can provide leadership and support for public and private sector infrastructure projects in Washington State and throughout the Pacific Northwest region. As part of an interdisciplinary team of biologists, environmental planners, cultural resources experts, geomorphologists, stream restoration engineers, and beyond, you will help deliver transformative infrastructure projects—from fish passage and wetland/stream restoration to energy, water and transportation improvements and sustainability initiatives—while serving as a technical resource specialist in wetland ecology, mitigation, biology, regulatory compliance, ESA compliance, and federal, state and local permitting.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams of biologists, engineers, scientists, planners, and other professionals to assemble regulatory‑compliant environmental studies, reports, and permits, including local, state (e.g., JARPA, Oregon Removal/Fill Joint Application, mitigation plans), and federal permits and authorizations.
• Lead fieldwork efforts (aquatic resource, habitat, and vegetation surveys) in Washington State and support projects in other PNW states (AK, OR, ID, ND, SD, MT) following state and federal protocols.
• Assist with preparation of environmental documents for compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act; familiarity with NEPA including developing or advising on environmental resource reports, Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
• Support proposal preparation, client maintenance, and business development activities.
• Prepare scopes of work and estimate level of effort for task completion.
• Serve as permitting project manager and/or task lead on projects.
• Maintain excellent communication with clients, regulatory agencies, local government officials, employees, and subcontractors.
• Provide management support and foster the career growth of junior‑level environmental staff.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related scientific discipline or technical field.
• 15+ years of environmental consulting or agency experience with emphasis on aquatic resource delineations, Endangered Species Act compliance, fish surveys and recovery, and/or permitting experience.
• Knowledge of Washington State and federal permitting programs such as the Clean Water Act and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404/401 wetland permitting process.
• Experience in other states, including Oregon and Idaho, is desirable.

Skills

• Ability to lead aquatic resource surveys, requiring strong knowledge of PNW vegetation, soils, wetland community types, and stream characteristics.
• Experience utilizing handheld GPS equipment and software is highly desired.
• Experience preparing for and participating in meetings with stakeholders.
• Project management or environmental task lead experience.
• Demonstrated experience working successfully in a team environment, interest in mentoring junior staff and team building.
• Ability to succeed in a consulting environment, handling multiple project assignments, meeting strict deadlines, and traveling to client facilities as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions across the western states; must be available for occasional travel.
• WSDOT Biological Senior Author Certification.
• NEPA/SEPA experience.
• Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist from the Society of Wetland Scientists.
• Demonstrated stakeholder (client, regulatory official, community, subcontractor) relationship skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) plan.
• Ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) for full‑time salaried/exempt employees.
• Seven paid holidays.
• Caregiver leave.
• Potential merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock awards.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $127,700.00 to $223,500.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

Jacobs offers a hybrid working policy, allowing employees to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations to deliver their best work.