Associate Biologist

Stantec; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 62,500 - 97,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Wellness program

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase program

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Stantec is seeking an experienced environmental professional to support a high‑volume environmental services program for a large utility client. You will lead project planning, permitting, and reporting on biological resources, while mentoring teams and liaising with regulators.

The role involves field work, technical reporting, and business development across southern California, with travel as needed. A biology degree and 3–4 years of project leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
• Minimum 3–4 years leading and executing technical aspects of projects.
• Experience with San Joaquin Valley and other geographic areas preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Knowledge of GIS software.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Medical physical and/or drug and alcohol screening may be required.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment.
• Experience with health and safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and coordinate the natural environment component of projects and programs
• Lead and mentor project teams, field staff and project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects
• Assist with field work tasks, as needed, such as breeding bird surveys, vegetation community assessments, wetland delineation and classification, special‑status species surveys, and construction monitoring
• Provide input to the career development of more 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 respond to Requests for Proposals including defining the scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents
• Contribute to corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees
• Liaise with regulators to maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge of existing and emerging regulatory requirements, wildlife and vegetation assessment methodologies and best practices
• Pursue and obtain new business opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take an active leadership role in the development of new business with new and existing clients
• Maintain an 80‑85% direct project utilization goal
• Travel may be required within and outside of southern California

Skills

Project management

Technical writing

Client communication

MS Office

GIS software

Driving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology

Tools

GIS software

OSHA HAZWOPER 40

Driver’s License

Job description

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

You will primarily support a high-volume environmental services program for a large utility client, with potential to support additional clients based on need/availability. You will perform and/or lead project planning and development, permitting, compliance monitoring, surveys, inspections/enforcement, and technical support services in relation to biological resources. You will also write reports, develop plans, and implement steps to move projects toward closure in the most cost-effective manner.

Location

This role is based out of our Southern California Stantec offices, including Los Angeles, CA; Pasadena, CA; Irvine, CA; Bakersfield, CA; Santa Barbara, CA; Ventura, CA; Monrovia, CA. Geographic alignment with other Stantec offices can be considered based on experience.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and coordinate the natural environment component of projects and programs
• Lead and mentor project teams, field staff and project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects
• Assist with field work tasks, as needed, such as breeding bird surveys, vegetation community assessments, wetland delineation and classification, special‑status species surveys, and construction monitoring
• Provide input to the career development of more 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 respond to Requests for Proposals including defining the scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents
• Contribute to corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees
• Liaise with regulators to maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge of existing and emerging regulatory requirements, wildlife and vegetation assessment methodologies and best practices
• Pursue and obtain new business opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take an active leadership role in the development of new business with new and existing clients
• Maintain an 80‑85% direct project utilization goal
• Travel may be required within and outside of southern California

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Proficient in policies and procedures for Health and Safety, including client‑specific training, leads by example, and applying Health and Safety policies and procedures as appropriate to their work
• Solid skills in technical writing
• Observing and developing skills in communications and technical information exchange with clients, engineers and scientists, government regulators and agencies, and academia
• Experience with task/project management including development of and adherence to approved project budgets
• Able to build strong relationships with key clients with respect to their technical area and their broader business objectives
• Builds and maintains productive professional and personal networking relationships
• Drives collaborative efforts within the business and beyond to deliver consistent, high quality and appropriately scoped technical work
• Must have a good driving record and valid Driver’s License
• At least 3 – 4 years of experience successfully leading and executing technical aspects of small to medium projects
• Proficient in MS Office applications
• Knowledge in GIS software
• A medical physical and/or drug and alcohol screening may be required for some project assignments
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.

Minimum 3 years related experience or a master's degree may be taken into consideration as 1–2 years of professional experience.

Experience with San Joaquin Valley and other geographic areas, preferred.

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.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ, VA Areas- $62,500.00 – $90,600.00 annually
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas- $67,000.00 – $97,200.00 annually

Pay Transparency

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec 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 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 (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 Statement

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.