Senior Conservation Biologist & Planner

About the Role

This position works under the direct supervision of the Principal Conservation Biologist/Project Manager of the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project (TLRP). This is a full-time position, anticipated to serve two-years, dedicated to the TLRP. This position will serve as the Assistant Project Manager under the Project Manager for the TRLP. The Senior Conservation Biologist serves as a staff scientist and planner responsible for advising, coordinating and supporting the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project, specifically via efforts associated with regulatory compliance, project management, grant writing, public outreach, and biological research, monitoring and restoration work associated with the Project's current design phase. Additional support for other District planning and conservation efforts may occur as time and availability permits. This position requires a variety of both field and office tasks.

Major Duties

MAJOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT - 65%

• Assist management in communication and coordination with internal and external members towards project goals and deliverables.
• Coordinate and assist with coordinating schedules of project actions/deliverables towards deadlines, milestones, and goals agreed to by project partners and grantors.
• Contractor Management: Assist with scoping, selection, contracting, invoice reviews, technical reviews, and management of project contractors.
• Report Preparation: Prepare technical and grant reports including graphs, tables and data summaries needed for project reports and scientific papers.
• Take the lead on the preparation and receipt of environmental permits, such as 401, 404, CCC CDP, including completion and compliance of CEQA/NEPA processes.
• Technical Review: Directly review contractor and staff deliverables and assist with coordination of partner comments and final edits.

GRANTS & FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION - 15%

• Supports and significantly contributes to the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals.
• Supports the search and development of other funding sources.
• Supports grantor/funder coordination, reimbursement requests, and periodic reporting.
• Supports budget oversight in coordination with the accounting team.
• Supports project implementation to be compliant with grant requirements, outcomes, deliverables, and evaluation criteria.

RESEARCH & FIELD WORK - 10%

• Assist as needed with on-going fisheries field surveys within the TLRP area including seining, snorkel, and spawner surveys, SWAMP protocol stream surveys, amphibian and reptile surveys, nesting bird surveys, and oak/vegetation surveys and restoration activities.
• When applicable, create maps with Google Earth Pro, TOPO, and/or ArcGIS.
• Provides support for other field programs and project managers leading restoration and other efforts, as needed.
• Prepare reports and research as needed or assigned.

PARTNERSHIPS & OUTREACH COORDINATION - 10%

• Coordinates with the resource agencies, partners, and key stakeholders as needed or assigned.
• Attends Caltrans Fish PAC, and/or other board meetings as needed or assigned.
• Coordinate with the National Park Service, State Parks and/or other resource agencies when necessary.
• Represents the RCDSMM at public meetings and events, including some evenings and weekends.
• Assists with public outreach via social media, print, website, and other venues in coordination with the project team.
• Fosters relationships and updates with public representatives.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of District operations and priorities.

Competencies

• Scientific Application & Communication: The ability to reason with evidence, evaluate scientific and technical information, and articulate outcomes, deficiencies and implications.
• Habitat Assessment & Restoration Planning: Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate habitat management actions (e.g., invasive species control, native planting) and comply with CEQA/NEPA processes.
• Permitting: Experience navigating and securing necessary state and federal biological collection and research permits while maintaining positive and effective relationships with regulators.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fosters partnerships and cooperation. Uses common goals & mission to motivate and work with others to achieve a shared goal.
• Experienced Project Management: Experienced and attentive to the details of managing conservation projects, including partner/client coordination, managing schedules, budgets and deliverable deadlines.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Responds effectively to changing project conditions, including priorities, schedules, funding, and deliverables. Responsive to operational challenges while maintaining effective communications and quality and scientifically sound products.

Qualifications

SCREEN OUT REQUIREMENT

• Must have a minimum of five (5) years in environmental planning and permitting with experience with 404/401/1600 and CDP permits, Habitat Restoration reporting and planning, and CEQA/NEPA processes.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Science in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience conducting in-field work for regulatory compliance (for example CRAM, JD, etc.) preferred.
• Experience with field-based research/monitoring, including plant/wildlife surveys, habitat mapping, etc. preferred.
• High-level technical writing and communication skills, including preparation of scientific reports, grant proposals, and regulatory documents.
• Ability to organize time and resources efficiently, with high attention to detail and drive to meet deadlines.
• Strong leadership abilities to lead team members, volunteers and interns. Take initiative to problem solve and support the supervisor and/or project manager.
• Fluent with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Experience with invoicing, tracking grant budgets and supervising contractors.
• Experience pursuing, writing, and securing grants from public agencies, foundations, or other funding sources.
• Experience managing grant-funded programs including compliance, deliverables, budget tracking, and invoicing.
• Experience with large-scale restoration project management including contractor oversight and environmental permitting.
• Experience contributing to regional or statewide technical advisory committees or agency coordination.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, agency partners, community organizations, and the public.
• Familiarity with GPS and GIS tools (handheld and desktop).
• Valid California driver's license and ability to travel locally as needed.

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid position requiring both on-site field work and minimum two (2) days in-office.
• Flexible schedule with Monday–Friday core hours of 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and flexible start/end times.
• This position will require some nights and weekends.
• This position will require long periods of sedentary desk work as well as physically demanding field work, including traversing uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor elements in a variety of conditions; some field days may be longer than 8 hours.
• This position will be regularly required to stand, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

• Additional $800 monthly health stipend
• Employee Assistance Program
• CalPERS state retirement system
• Optional 457 retirement plan (no RCD contribution)
• Accrual of up to 12 days of sick time a year and 2 weeks of vacation (increasing with years of service)
• 14 paid holidays per year
• $50 per month cell phone stipend
• Flexible work schedule, including core hours (10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.) and at least two in-office days per week, with adjustments as needed to support projects and operations

Application Instructions

Studies have shown that underrepresented people often do not apply for technical jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification or requirement listed in a job description. Conversely, people with identities overrepresented in these fields often do not hesitate to apply for jobs even if they do not meet all stated qualifications. RCDSMM does not expect one person to perfectly fit this job description prior to holding a similar position for several years. Prior experience may be transferable, even if it is outside what is described herein. Training and professional development is available to RCDSMM employees to help improve skills. Passionate and interested people with the core competencies listed above are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must apply via Gusto. Applicants must submit:

• Submit Cover Letter.
• Submit Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Include years per position and average hours worked per week
• Your resume should clearly support any screen out requirements listed above
• Do not include any personal sensitive information or pictures of yourself in any material.

This job announcement will close on August 5, 2026 or when 50 applications are received, which ever comes first.

Gusto apply Link: https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/resource-conservation-district-of-the-santa-monica-mountains-senior-conservation-biologist-27fd3391-b044-4d46-975d-4e896344fc1c