Senior Biologist & Project Manager

ESA is seeking an experienced and motivated Biologist & Project Manager proficient in business development, biological resource analysis, and species permitting with a minimum of 10 years of professional environmental experience.  This is a full-time exempt opportunity.  Preference given to candidates who can occasionally work hybrid in-office from one of our Southern CA ESA office locations including: Downtown Los Angeles, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, and/or Santa Barbara. Remote candidates within a commutable distance to one of the ESA offices listed and the ability to come in-office as needed for team meetings and meet-ups will also be considered.   

Occasional travel requirements for in-person team collaboration, client relations, regional dept meetings, supervisor and leadership meetings, etc.

Who You Are 

A Biologist & Project Manager with a minimum of 10 years of technical expertise in environmental sciences industry who thrives on being a people leader. Preference given to candidates with environmental consulting experience.  Your technical expertise includes California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) biological resources analysis (e.g., wetlands, wildlife, botany), and California Environmental Species Act (CESA)/Federal Environmental Species Act (FESA) species permitting. Experience with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) biological resources analysis is a plus but not required.

You have significant experience working on a variety of project types ranging in complexity from small-scale maintenance actions (i.e., bank and levee repairs, sediment removal, culvert replacements) to complex, multi-beneficial, nature-based habitat restoration, enhancement, and adaptation projects (tidal, coastal, and riverine environments), capital improvement projects (utility, transportation, energy, and flood protection infrastructure improvements), and regional conservation programs (habitat preserves, mitigation banks).

You are known for preparing clear, concise, well-written and supported documents, guidance, and recommendations, your high-level of organization and responsiveness, and for your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and non-verbally. You are comfortable talking with individuals or leading group discussions and presenting information understandably and speaking persuasively about complex topics to internal teams, clients, regulatory agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders, and the general public.

You have a solid foundational knowledge of biological resources in southern California and relevant environmental regulations and regulatory agency permitting pathways and processes. 

• Required Experience:
  • CEQA biological resources analysis & technical writing
  • Project Management
  • Environmental Business Development
  • Experienced in preparing either:
    • Applications for CDFW CESA 2081 Incidental Take Permits OR
    • Biological Assessments for FESA Section 7 Biological Opinions

• Preferred experience:
  • NEPA biological resources analysis & technical writing
  • Consultation with wildlife agencies (CDFW and USFWS) and negotiation of terms and measures for CESA ITPs and USFWS BOs
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS & CDFW) and NOAA Fisheries (FESA Sections 10) 
  • Experienced in preparing applications for CDFW CESA Section 2080.1 Consistency Determinations
  • Technical expertise in plant or wildlife biological resources

You regularly support or lead strategy development and wildlife agency consultations for a wide range of projects. You have existing relationships with the wildlife agencies (CDFW and USFWS) and understand their specific expectations.

You are an effective team member who proactively identifies and contributes constructively to address project challenges. You are driven by contributing to projects that benefit ecosystems and communities and demonstrate a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. You work well independently and under the direction of project directors and managers and technical specialists and are experienced in successfully completing tasks with competing deadlines. You have the ability to work efficiently and communicate effectively while working in a remote flexible environment. 

You value people and staff development; providing technical and professional mentorship to colleagues that are direct reports to you or are on your project teams. You seek out ways to make meaningful contributions to the careers of others through staff supervision or participation in me