Technical Director - Biological Resources

Who are we looking for?

GHD is looking for a Technical Director – Biological Resources in any of the following California offices: San Diego, Irvine, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Oakland, Concord, Sacramento, or Santa Rosa.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams of wildlife biologists, botanists and wetland scientists to complete field studies, develop related reports, Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Assessments, natural environmental, and other complex biological reports.
• Cook up with engineers and other environmental professionals to develop California Environmental Quality Act / National Environmental Policy Act documentation and pursue regulatory approvals.
• Ensure that business activities and individuals (e.g., employees, contractors, and visitors) within the area of responsibility adhere to the organization's health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies, procedures, and mandatory instructions, to safeguard the environment, protect the well-being of individuals, and minimize business risk.
• Manage a portfolio of major projects in line with overall project management strategy.
• Manage key client and customer relationships. Likely to involve using account teams to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization's formal development framework within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization's talent pool.
• Develop and propose own performance objectives; take appropriate actions to ensure achievement of agreed objectives, using the organization's performance management systems to improve personal performance. Or manage and report on team performance; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project/account team members and hold people accountable for achieving them, taking appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team/personal objectives.
• Develop innovative solutions by integrating and analyzing complex and diverse information sources.
• Gather information and resources and draft and complete proposals in response to the most-complex bid solicitations, request for proposal, and request for tender to create the best chance of being awarded the contract. May lead a team to develop tenders/proposals and fulfill all process requirements (in terms of deadlines, documentation, etc.) in response to bid solicitations, request for proposal, and request for tender.
• Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team and beyond in the function. Maintain external accreditations and in-depth understanding of current and emerging technologies, external regulation, and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Contribute strongly on a strategically significant area to a community of practice in a defined area of expertise or consulting, or lead on an area of expertise or consulting practice, to contribute to thought leadership and to develop innovative practice among colleagues.

Requirements

• Recognized as an industry leader and have significant experience in wildlife biology, botany and/or wetland science; business development; contributing to growth of practice areas; overseeing the environmental review process; and winning and leading projects of importance.

Qualifications

• 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 providing most or all essential responsibilities noted above.
• 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting, including 6+ years of full cycle project management experience.
• 10+ years of proven experience in the field completing natural resources surveys and assessments (particularly for special status species) and/or similar qualifications that demonstrate a technical competence regarding biological resources in California.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the CEQA, NEPA, and applicable state and federal regulations and significant project experience in the preparation of environmental documentation, permitting, mitigation planning and implementation, and environmental compliance.
• Significant experience with all phases of winning work including positioning, pipeline development, pursuits, developing new clients, and maintaining client relationships.

Skills

• Leadership skills
• Environmental compliance expertise
• Project management abilities
• Client relationship management
• Performance management
• Solutions analysis
• Proposal writing and bid solicitation
• Subject matter expertise
• Community of practice management

Benefits

Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect, and excel in our vibrant environment.

Pay

$147,000-$245,000 based on location and experience

Schedule

Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect, and excel in our vibrant environment.