Associate or Senior Wildlife Biologist/Regulatory Specialist

Dokken Engineering; Folsom, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Medical, dental, vision, wellness

401(k) ESOP contributions

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Dokken Engineering seeks an Associate or Senior Wildlife Biologist/Regulatory Specialist in Folsom, CA. This full-time, hybrid role focuses on wildlife biology and regulatory permitting across projects that influence habitat and infrastructure design.

You’ll work with biologists, arborists, planners, and GIS specialists to integrate biology into planning, design, permitting, and construction. Growth and professional involvement are encouraged across associations in the field.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a BA or BS in environmental studies/science, biology, or related field.
• Associate position: 5-15 years of relevant experience, preferably in California.
• Senior position: 10-20 years of relevant experience, preferably in California.
• Experience with Federal and California environmental laws (CEQA/NEPA, CWA, FESA, CA Fish and Game Code).
• Preparing complex biological documentation and regulatory permits.

Responsibilities

• Progress projects through the environmental process.
• Prepare environmental reports (Biological Reports, Biological Assessments, Water Quality Assessments, CEQA/NEPA documents).
• Prepare regulatory permit applications and secure environmental permits.
• Conduct biology field surveys: habitat mapping, wetland delineations, nesting bird surveys, species assessments, monitoring.
• Develop and implement mitigation and monitoring reporting programs.
• Prepare project exhibits on ArcGIS Pro.
• Oversee environmental commitments on construction sites.
• Assist with habitat restoration plans.
• Prepare proposals for new projects.
• Collaborate with clients, regulatory authorities, and team members.

Skills

Wildlife biology

Regulatory permitting

CEQA/NEPA

Field surveys

California experience

Education

BA/BS in environmental studies

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Associate or Senior Wildlife Biologist/Regulatory Specialist

Folsom, CA, USA·Full Time·Hybrid·$75,000 - $130,000 per year

About the Role

Our environmental team works on projects where your wildlife biology and regulatory expertise directly influence habitat conservation, species protection, and creative infrastructure designs. We have a collaborative, multidisciplinary culture where your curiosity is encouraged, your ideas matter, and you can grow your career at the pace that suits you while making a real impact on the places people live, travel, and explore.

Dokken’s in-house environmental team consists of biologists, arborists, archaeologists, noise/air experts, environmental planners, GIS professionals, and regulatory permitting specialists. Beyond fieldwork, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of the full project lifecycle, collaborating across disciplines and seeing how biology integrates into planning, design, permitting, and construction. You’ll build lasting relationships with clients and agency staff while contributing to meaningful projects that shape communities.We empower our team members to think creatively, ask questions, and challenge the status quo—your ideas and perspective truly matter here. We also encourage active participation in professional organizations such as the American Public Works Association, The Wildlife Society, and the California Association of Environmental Professionals. We are committed to supporting your growth, curiosity, and long-term career development.

Core Job Responsibilities:

Progress projects through the environmental process

Prepare environmental technical reports, including, but not limited to, Biological Reports, Biological Assessments, Water Quality Assessments, and CEQA and NEPA environmental documents. Prepare Caltrans-formatted NEPA technical studies.

Prepare regulatory permit applications and secure environmental permits

Conduct biology field surveys: habitat mapping, wetland delineations, nesting bird surveys, special-status species assessments, restoration monitoring, and more

Develop and implement mitigation and monitoring reporting programs

Prepare project exhibits on ArcGIS Pro

Visit construction projects to oversee compliance with environmental commitments

Assist with habitat restoration plans

Prepare proposals for new projects

Collaborate with clients, regulatory authorities, environmental and engineering team members, and subconsultants

Minimum of a BA or BS in environmental studies/science, biology, or related field

Associate position: 5-15 years of relevant experience, preferably in California

Senior position: 10-20 years of relevant experience, preferably in California

Applicants must have substantial experience with:

Federal and California environmental laws (i.e., CEQA and NEPA, Clean Water Act, Federal Endangered Species Act, CA Fish and Game Code, etc.)

Preparing complex biological documentation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife and/or CA Department of Fish and Wildlife species consultations

Preparing and securing regulatory permits for water resources

CA driver’s license

Physical Requirements:

Will sit, stand or walk for the entire duration of a workday

Will use telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices on a regular basis

Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception

Work indoors and outdoors. Outdoor work can be in remote or urban environments

Usually work near others, such as in a shared office space

Occasionally wear protective gear, such as a hard hat

Sometimes work in noisy or distracting work environments

Occasionally travel to project sites by automobile, train, and/or airplane (mostly day trips with occasional overnights)

Occasionally work from a vehicle while at project sites

FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Competitive pay with bonus program

Exceptional medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs.

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan with generous company match and ESOP contributions

Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Dokken Engineering is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. There shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, national origin, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation, military service, or political affiliation. We are an inclusive organization that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based solely on individual merit.