Wildlife Biologist, Compliance Specialist

WRA’s Compliance Monitoring Team was founded in 2019. We work on approximately 50 projects per year throughout Northern California. Our projects are diverse and include wetland and marsh restoration, riparian restoration, and various marine projects throughout the San Francisco Bay.

About the role

As a Wildlife Biologist on the Compliance Monitoring Team at WRA, your primary responsibility is to lead and manage a team of individuals in support of construction projects throughout permit implementation. Your role will involve managing field staff, training, mentoring junior biologists, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. You will also support bidding on projects in the construction phase and coordinate directly with internal project managers and principals as well as external clients.

This position requires you to reside within approximately 45 minutes of one of our Northern California offices (San Rafael, Petaluma, or Emeryville) and work at least part-time at one of WRA’s Bay Area offices, though you will not be required to be in the office every day. A portion of your job is seasonally field-based, with on-site work throughout Northern California at varying times of day for compliance monitoring, field surveys, and client and regulatory agency meetings. Peak construction occurs roughly between June and November each year, typically requiring two to three days of field work per week with potential for night and/or weekend work. Additional scheduling flexibility is available between December and April.

Responsibilities

• Manage the compliance monitoring stage of multiple projects concurrently, including staff schedules, duties, and project reporting.
• Work with WRA team leaders, project managers, and field staff to maintain, document, and report on permit compliance through project implementation.
• Work directly with clients to strategically navigate permit compliance requirements during project implementation.
• Train and mentor field staff on natural resource protection means and measures based on best available science.
• Lead and report on surveys for various species and sensitive habitats during various project phases, including project implementation.
• Author, conduct, and maintain records for awareness training on species, safety, and compliance monitoring for biologists and project personnel.
• Provide creative strategies and recommendations for avoiding and minimizing project effects on sensitive wildlife and habitats.
• Prepare scopes of work and support competitive proposal efforts.
• Work collaboratively on sustainable business practices that align with firm Mission and Vision.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field.
• 5-8 years of professional experience in wildlife biology, ecological consulting, and compliance monitoring on construction projects.
• Extensive knowledge of California's wildlife species, habitats, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Proven experience with project implementation, including fieldwork, staff management, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to a lay audience.
• Project and/or task management experience, including staffing and maintaining project schedules and budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams throughout the firm.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new project management and field data systems quickly.
• Experience using or managing tasks in project tracking and communication platforms such as VantagePoint, Asana, or similar tools.
• Willingness and availability to accept field shifts when other staff are unavailable, including nights and weekends.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, especially when managing multiple projects with shifting field logistics and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to health and safety, with experience preparing Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs), conducting safety briefings, and contributing to incident reporting and investigations as needed.
• Scientific curiosity and wonder for the natural world.
• Analytical mindset and ability to find creative solutions.
• Strong leadership skills.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel to field sites and meetings.
• Ability to walk, hike, and work outside for long periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal Recovery permit, and/or State MOU, or equivalent experience.
• Previous agency approvals as CDFW Designated Biologist, or USFWS Approved Biologist.
• Command of environmental permitting processes including USFWS, CDFW, and CEQA.
• Published research or contributions to scientific literature in the field of wildlife biology.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $98,000–$126,000, representing two job levels that WRA is open to considering for this role.

About WRA

WRA is an employee-owned environmental consultancy. We are a tenacious team of planners, engineers, and scientists, aiming to leave the lands we love better than we found them. Our clients and partners hire us for our expertise in navigating challenging projects involving wildlands, parks, community spaces, and infrastructure. With more than four decades of experience, long-standing relationships, and deep community connections, we ensure projects are pursued responsibly for the benefit of both people and the environment.

We believe independence and interdependence are not mutually exclusive. We invest in systems, processes, and employee programs to support collective engagement and success while encouraging an ownership mindset. Our company vision is to cultivate a sustainable future where people and the environment thrive, starting with our staff. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment with flexible policies and practices that prioritize learning and sustainability, allowing employees to prioritize their families, lead healthy and balanced lives, and bring their authentic selves to work every day.