Associate Biologist

Stantec; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 80,300 - 116,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Paid family leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Stantec is looking for an Associate Biologist in Irvine, California, with at least 5 years of experience. Responsibilities include mentoring teams, conducting surveys, and preparing technical reports for various projects in Southern California.

The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in local flora and fauna, be effective in team environments, and have the ability to develop proposals and permit applications. A BS/MS degree in Biological Sciences or a related field is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a biologist.
• Experience conducting floristic and wildlife surveys.
• Ability to prepare regulatory permit applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project field teams.
• Conduct field tasks related to ecosystem restoration.
• Prepare technical reports and environmental assessments.

Skills

Collaborative team member

Effective communication

Health and safety policies

Knowledge of Southern California flora and fauna

Technical writing skills

MS Office proficiency

GPS/GIS technology

Education

BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise.

Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 5 years of experience to join our Southern California Ecosystems Group. The position is based at one of our Southern California offices, including Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Paramount, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Maria, or Ventura. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in Southern California and elsewhere.

Responsibilities

As an Associate 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 both field and office work and may involve field work during construction and implementation of ecosystem restoration projects.

• Lead and mentor project field teams and support project managers on renewable‑energy, oil‑and‑gas, and other development projects.
• Schedule, assist, or lead teams for field tasks such as special‑status species surveys, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide guidance to junior staff, including training recommendations, coaching, and mentoring.
• Plan, prepare, and review technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments.
• Work with business‑development teams to contribute to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including scope definition, cost estimating, and compiling relevant proposal sections.
• Assist teams in pursuing new business opportunities and developing technical proposals.
• Contribute to the corporate profile through participation in professional associations and committees.
• Coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of surveys and technical reports.
• Assist with developing permitting strategies, permit‑application packages, and agency negotiations.
• Maintain a target 80‑85% direct project‑utilization goal.
• Conduct overnight travel within and outside Southern California.

Qualifications

Skills and experience required:

• Collaborative team member effective in multidisciplinary project and field teams.
• Proficient in health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Demonstrable background, knowledge, and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of Southern California.
• Experience conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species‑specific protocol surveys.
• Experience with or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise is a plus.
• Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and/or federal Recovery Permit is a plus.
• Experience as a USFWS‑approved biologist for federally listed species or a CDFW‑approved Designated Biologist (DB) is a plus.
• Wetland delineation training certificate or demonstrable experience in jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations is a plus.
• Strong verbal and technical writing skills; ability to communicate with team members, junior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Experience preparing technical documentation such as biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports (BRTRs), jurisdictional waters delineations, Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (ARDRs), and biological resources sections for CEQA/NEPA documents.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes, particularly in Southern California.
• Ability to prepare or contribute to regulatory permit applications such as Clean Water Act Sections 404/401, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, and federal/state Incidental Take Permits (ITPs).
• Experience in compliance monitoring, environmental training, interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post‑construction monitoring/reporting on small to large projects.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Experience with GPS/GIS technology (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Online, or Field Maps) to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters.
• Must have ability to travel; must possess a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment.

Education and Experience

BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

Typical office environment: working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods. Field work may include exposure to inclement weather and the ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lb.

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.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & various CA, NJ areas: $80,300.00 – $116,500.00 annually
• Locations in WA, DC & various CA, MA areas: $86,100.00 – $125,000.00 annually

In compliance with pay‑transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. The final agreed compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. Certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary

Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health‑saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage, and paid family leave. Regular full‑time and part‑time employees will receive ten paid holidays each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and, if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law. The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Stantec is committed to ensuring equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment and maintains compliance with laws and regulations. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.