Associate Biologist/Botanist

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 62,500 - 90,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Paid family leave

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. is on the lookout for an Associate Biologist to join their Ecosystems Group in San Bernardino, CA. This position requires at least 5 years of experience in biological resource surveys, with a focus on southern California habitats.

You will lead and mentor field teams while also conducting ecological surveys, preparing technical documents, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This full-time role offers opportunities for both field work and collaboration with talented professionals in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in biological resource surveys.
• Experience with plant and animal identification in southern California.
• Ability to prepare technical documentation for regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor field teams on various ecological projects.
• Conduct biological surveys and prepare technical reports.
• Coordinate with clients and regulators for project compliance.

Skills

Botanical survey

Habitat mapping

Vegetation sampling

Technical writing

GPS/GIS technology

Education

BS or MS in Biological Sciences or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

MS Office

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. 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 by operating out of our San Bernardino, California office. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in Southern California and elsewhere. Biologists with strong botanical survey, habitat mapping, and vegetation sampling skills are a plus.

As an Associate Biologist with Stantec, 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. You will be relied upon to lead and mentor field teams on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects for diverse clientele and business sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas projects, electric and gas transmission projects, transportation projects, community development projects, and projects for other public and private sector clients.

What You Will Do for Stantec

As an Associate Biologist, you will:

• 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, 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 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 development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations.
• Maintain a target 80‑85% direct project utilization goal.
• Conduct overnight travel within and outside of southern California.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

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 responsibility in conducting biological resources surveys and preparing technical reports. Desired skills include:

• Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi-disciplinary project and field teams.
• Proficient in health and safety policies and procedures, including client‑specific training and leading by example.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Demonstrable background 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 considered a plus.
• Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding, and/or federal Recovery Permit considered a plus.
• Qualifications with USFWS‑approved biologist status for one or more federally listed species and/or CDFW‑approved Designated Biologist (DB) considered a plus, particularly for desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel.
• Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience with jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations considered a plus.
• Strong verbal and technical writing skills and ability to communicate with team members, junior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Experience preparing technical documentation including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports, jurisdictional waters delineations, Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports, 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, Fish and Game Code Section 1600, incidental take permits, and related permits.
• Experience in compliance monitoring, environmental training, interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post‑construction monitoring/reporting on projects of various sizes.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Experience using GPS/GIS technology, e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Online, or Field Maps, to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters.
• Ability to travel as required.
• 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 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.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and future‑proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

Pay Range

Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas – $62,500.00 - $90,600.00 annually.

Pay Transparency

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. Employees receive ten paid holidays per year and accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and paid sick leave as required by 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. Benefits information may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Primary Location

United States | CA | San Bernardino

Organization

BC-1858 EnvSvcs-US West S California

Employee Status

Regular

Business Justification

New Position

Travel

Yes

Schedule

Full time

Job Posting

23/06/2026 04:06:11

Req ID

1006238

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. 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.