Technical Director - Biological Resources

GHD is committed to helping you contribute to a sustainable future for our communities and the world. Join our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, auditors, planners, and environmental specialists working together to leave the world better than we found it.

About the role

GHD is seeking a Technical Director – Biological Resources for any of the following California offices: San Diego, Irvine, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Oakland, Concord, Sacramento, or Santa Rosa. The ideal candidate will be recognized as an industry leader with significant experience in wildlife biology, botany, and/or wetland science, as well as business development, practice growth, environmental review processes, and leading high-impact projects.

Our Natural Resources & Impact Assessment Group provides environmental impact documentation and permitting services across California and the Pacific, serving diverse sectors including transportation (ports, road, rail, transit), utilities, local development, energy, mining, and coastal restoration.

This role operates under a hybrid work model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility with a requirement to work in the office three days a week.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams of wildlife biologists, botanists, and wetland scientists to complete field studies, develop reports, Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Assessments, and other complex biological documentation.
• Coordinate with engineers and environmental professionals to develop California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation and pursue regulatory approvals.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies and procedures to safeguard individuals and minimize business risk.
• Manage a portfolio of major projects in alignment with project management strategies.
• Oversee key client and customer relationships, maintaining satisfaction and loyalty through account teams.
• Evaluate staff capabilities, identify gaps, and prioritize development activities to build organizational capacity.
• Implement coaching and mentoring to support talent development within the organization.
• Set and manage performance objectives for yourself and your team, ensuring accountability and corrective action where necessary.
• Develop innovative solutions by analyzing complex and diverse information sources.
• Draft and complete proposals in response to complex bid solicitations, requests for proposals, and tenders, potentially leading a team to fulfill process requirements.
• Act as a subject matter expert in technology, policy, regulation, or operational management, maintaining external accreditations and staying current with industry best practices.
• Contribute to or lead a community of practice in a strategically significant area to drive thought leadership and innovative practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s and/or Master's Degree in natural resources, biology, wildlife biology, fisheries, marine biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 20+ years of experience in roles encompassing the essential responsibilities listed above.
• 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting, including 6+ years of full-cycle project management.
• 10+ years of experience completing natural resources surveys and assessments, particularly for special status species, demonstrating technical competence in California biological resources.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, and applicable state and federal regulations, with significant project experience in environmental documentation, permitting, mitigation planning, and compliance.
• Proven experience in all phases of winning work, including positioning, pipeline development, pursuits, developing new clients, and maintaining client relationships.

Benefits

GHD is a multicultural organization that encourages individual achievement and recognizes the strength of a diverse workforce. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by law.

Pay

Salary range: $147,000–$245,000 based on location and experience.

Schedule

Hybrid work model requiring in-office presence three days a week.