Senior Natural Resources Biologist

About the role

Lead and support wetland and other waters delineations, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, and related desktop and field evaluations for projects in California and elsewhere in the Western US.

Conduct or support special-status species and habitat surveys, biological reconnaissance, and field data collection in support of infrastructure, utility, water, energy, and other development projects.

Prepare and contribute to biological resource analyses for CEQA and NEPA documentation by evaluating existing conditions, identifying potential impacts, and developing avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.

Responsibilities

• Identify and interpret applicable local, state, and federal biological resource regulations and permitting requirements, including Clean Water Act Sections 401, 404, and 408, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, CESA, federal ESA, and California Department of Fish Lake and Streambed Alteration Program.
• Prepare permit applications and technical support materials for agency review, including USACE, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, CDFW, USFWS, and other relevant resource agencies.
• Cook with regulatory agencies and multidisciplinary project teams to define biological study needs, support permitting strategies, and advance project delivery.
• Provide technical consulting support to clients and internal teams, including interpretation of biological constraints, review of project plans, and preparation of clear, defensible technical documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resources, or a closely related field strongly preferred.
• Advanced study, specialized training, or directly relevant experience may be considered where it uniquely supports the role.
• 10+ years of solutions-oriented environmental consulting experience, including work on biological resources for infrastructure, utility, water, energy, or other development projects in California.
• Experience in additional Western US states a plus.
• Experience preparing or supporting biological resource analyses for CEQA and, where applicable, NEPA documentation, including impact assessment and development of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
• Working knowledge of California and federal biological resource regulations and permitting requirements, including CESA, federal ESA, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, California Department of Fish Lake and Streambed Alteration Program, and related agency review processes.
• Experience conducting or supporting wetland and other waters delineations, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, special-status species surveys, and biological field documentation.
• Experience with Federal and State regulatory agencies and resources within California.
• Experience with field to office data and mapping capabilities including ArcGIS and CAD.
• Experience preparing mitigation plans.
• Familiarity with agency coordination and permitting support involving USACE, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, CDFW, USFWS, and other relevant regulatory agencies.
• Familiarity with GIS and California biological data resources such as CNDDB, BIOS, CNPS Rare Plant Inventory, and related desktop screening and mapping tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering or professional degree in Sciences in area of expertise preferred with specialized training, or experience that uniquely qualifies the individual to perform the job responsibilities.
• A minimum total of 10 years of related work experience.

Skills

• Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear biological reports and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and clients.

Benefits

• Salary Plan ENS: Eng & Technical Specialties
• Job Grade 017