Associate Biologist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid family leave

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Stantec in Santa Barbara is looking for an experienced consulting biologist with at least 5 years of experience. The role focuses on leading project teams in environmental tasks such as species surveys and compliance monitoring. Candidates should hold a BS or MS in Biological Sciences and demonstrate proficiency in environmental regulations and field work.

The offer includes competitive salary ranging from $80,300 to $116,500 annually depending on location and experience. Stantec fosters an inclusive workplace where diverse backgrounds are valued.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience conducting biological surveys and preparing reports.
• Experience with federal and state environmental regulations.
• Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project field teams on various environmental projects.
• Plan, prepare, and review technical reports and assessments.
• Conduct field tasks such as species surveys and compliance monitoring.

Skills

Collaborative team member

Knowledge of flora and fauna of southern California

Experience with special-status species

Proficient in MS Office

Experienced with GPS/GIS technology

Education

BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences

Job description

Position Overview

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. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 5 years of experience to join our southern California Ecosystems Group, operating out of one of our southern California offices. Possible locations include Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Paramount, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Maria, and Ventura. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in southern California and elsewhere.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor project field teams and provide support to project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects.
• Schedule, assist, and/or lead teams for field tasks such as special-status species surveys/inventories, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, 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), defining the scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents.
• Assist teams in pursuing and contributing to new business opportunities and effective technical proposals.
• May contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.
• Under the supervision of senior staff: coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of various survey efforts and technical reports.
• Assist with the development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations.
• Have a target 80-85% direct project utilization goal.
• Conduct overnight travel within and outside of southern California.

Qualifications

You are a biologist or natural resources management specialist; at minimum hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field; and have a minimum of 5 years of related experience demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility in conducting biological resources surveys and preparing technical reports.

Skills

• Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi-disciplinary project and field teams.
• Proficient in policies and procedures for Health and Safety.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently and within project scope, budget and schedule expectations.
• Demonstrable background, knowledge, and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of southern California.
• Experience in conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species-specific protocol surveys.
• Experience with and/or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise considered a plus.
• Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and/or federal Recovery Permit for one or more special-status species considered a plus.
• Qualifications and/or experience with being considered a USFWS-approved biologist for one or more federally listed species and/or a CDFW-approved Designated Biologist (DB) considered a plus.
• Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience in conducting jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations considered a plus.
• Strong verbal and technical writing skills and ability to communicate effectively with team members, junior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Experience in preparing technical documentation including 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 Section 404/401, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, 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 using GPS/GIS technology (ArcGIS Pro, Online, and/or Field Maps) to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters.
• Must have ability to travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment.

Education & 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 experience.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements and inclement weather. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.

Location

Primary Location: United States | CA | Los Angeles

Other Locations: United States | CA | Santa Barbara

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

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 in 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. 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 Statement

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 in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.