Wildlife Ecologist, Staff-Level

You are an experienced wildlife ecologist with in-depth knowledge of wildlife species and habitats of California, ideally those in the San Francisco Bay area. You enjoy balancing ecological expertise with client service and team collaboration, strive for excellence in your work, and are interested in continually improving your scientific knowledge. You have prior experience surveying and evaluating local wildlife species and their habitats and contributing to technical reports. You enjoy working across a variety of project types and collaborating with a diverse team, including botanists, wetland scientists, and GIS specialists. A lifelong learner, you are comfortable working both independently and with colleagues to help move projects forward, and you value quality management and integrity.

About Integral

Integral Consulting Inc. is a science and engineering firm delivering sound technical solutions to meet today’s challenges in the health, environmental, and natural resource arenas. We are a values-driven collaborative team passionate about company culture and the work we do for our clients. Since our founding in 2002, we have demonstrated a commitment to the well-being, diversity, and professional development of our staff, as well as strong partnerships with clients and teaming partners. We solve today’s toughest environmental challenges through innovative ideas, exceptional teamwork, and dedication to accuracy and technical quality.

About the role

We are seeking a Wildlife Ecologist to work on a diverse range of projects, both in the office and in the field. You will contribute to projects by conducting surveys and habitat assessments, preparing environmental documents, and supporting compliance with project requirements. Fieldwork may include surveys and monitoring for a variety of wildlife species, habitat assessments, and occasional work during nights, weekends, or early mornings, as well as in inclement weather and varied terrain. This position is locally based in the San Francisco Bay area, with project work primarily in the Bay Area and central California coast, and occasionally elsewhere in California or beyond. The role may offer in-office, remote, or hybrid opportunities based on candidate location and organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare documentation related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for local, state, and federal agency projects.
• Work on projects in sensitive areas with unique or challenging issues (e.g., wetlands, riparian setbacks, bird-safe design, and endangered or sensitive wildlife species).
• Perform federal and California Endangered Species Act consultations.
• Provide compliance support, including making recommendations to minimize constraints on project activities, conducting pre-activity surveys, supporting compliance with project permits (including surveys, environmental training sessions, and construction monitoring), and drafting compliance reports.
• Assess biological constraints to proposed projects, including potential mitigation measures under CEQA/NEPA or conditions of anticipated permits or Endangered Species Act approvals.
• Prepare mitigation and monitoring plans in collaboration with restoration ecologists to develop wildlife management and monitoring methods, success criteria, and avoidance and minimization measures.

Requirements

• M.S. or Ph.D. focusing on local wildlife species and habitats, or equivalent extensive local experience.
• 2+ years of applicable professional experience (in addition to a graduate degree).
• Prior experience authoring and editing technical reports, with demonstrated exceptional writing ability.
• Experience with a variety of special-status wildlife species and their habitats in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Desire to grow both intellectually and professionally.

Benefits

• Company-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee and family).
• 401(k) participation with a company match of 1% to 4% of annual compensation.
• Company-paid life and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid sick leave (10 days), paid vacation (12-15 days, determined by title at hire), and paid holidays (9 days) per year.
• Potential for an annual discretionary bonus based on company performance.

Pay

$65,000–$115,000 per year.