Senior Biologist
Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.
Your Opportunity
As a Senior Biologist, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists/ecologists/water resource specialists, and land planning and regulatory experts. This position will include opportunities for both field and office work; it may also involve field work during construction of projects and implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. In this position, you will be responsible for the contribution and management of multi-disciplinary project teams in all phases of the execution and delivery of siting and licensing of energy production, including renewable energy, and electric and gas transmission projects, as well as natural resource planning and management projects. As a Senior Biologist/Ecologist, you will oversee and provide expertise in field biology, regulatory strategy, CEQA/NEPA analysis, and permitting strategy. Specific background and expertise should consist of strong botanical, wetland, or wildlife technical expertise, familiarity and experience with regulatory permitting, and project and client management. This position requires coordination with clients, resource agencies, and environmental and technical staff.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Overseeing all aspects of project management, biological impact assessment and mitigation strategy development, and preparation and review of biological resources documents.
- Provide support in delivering high quality work products to Stantec’s multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Establishing relationships with clients and regulatory agency staff.
- Reviewing and analyzing scientific data, maps, and drawings.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Established relationships with local, state, and federal permitting agencies.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills are essential.
- Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, and/or providing direction for biological technical reports, environmental impact evaluation, siting reports, and environmental permit applications, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience with the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) consultation processes.
- Demonstrated success with research, analysis, and reporting.
- Demonstrated experience conducting CEQA and NEPA analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
- Demonstrated experience leading environmental permitting of energy facilities, pipelines, and/or linear infrastructure projects in the western United States including: USACE 404 wetland permitting, CDFW 1600 Agreements, FESA and CESA permitting, RWQCB 401 certifications, and other environmental permitting.
- Demonstrated technical competence and project experience in natural resource fields applicable to commercial (primarily conventional or renewable energy generation/transmission) siting and licensing or environmental permitting of other infrastructure projects.
- Possess California-specific field biology experience (minimum 7-10 years).
- Experience with Southern San Joaquin valley species preferred, with knowledge and experience of state and federal wildlife protection regulations and guidelines for listed species.
- Experience with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Experience with CPUC and/or CEC.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Desired authorization(s): possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, Memorandum of Understanding, and/or federal Recovery Permit for species listed under FESA and/or CESA; qualified/approved by USFWS and/or CDFW for species-specific work.
- Desired skill: wetland delineation training certificate and/or comparable experience with jurisdictional waters delineations in California.
- Desired skill: experience with agency negotiations for regulatory compliance
- Experience managing projects, including cost and schedule management, proposal development, and quality.
- Experience working on construction projects.
- General understanding of geographic information systems.
- Ability to direct staff technicians regarding data collection, preparation of figures and maps, and report production.
- Ability to mentor junior staff and supervise staff.
- Ability to travel.
- Business development acumen.
- Must have a good driving record and valid driver’s license.
- Prior to employment, this position will require the successful completion of a pre-employment physical and drug screen.
Education and Experience
BS or MS degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a related field.
Minimum 7-10 years of experience.
Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs. Option for hybrid work schedule (combination of in-office/in-field work and remote/homework) negotiable.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.