Biologist 2

HDR; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 95,638 - 147,555; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time away

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

An engineering firm is seeking a qualified Biologist/Regulatory Specialist to support environmental monitoring and permitting efforts. The role involves conducting wildlife surveys, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and facilitating communications with regulatory agencies. Ideal candidates have significant experience in biological impacts analysis and possess strong project management abilities. A Bachelor's degree in Biology is required. This full-time position is based in Walnut Creek, California, with a competitive salary range of $95,638 to $147,555 annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience managing biological/environmental projects.
• Experience with sensitive, threatened, and endangered species.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct environmental monitoring of sensitive species.
• Support environmental permitting and biological assessments.
• Observe construction activities and document compliance.

Skills

Technical writing/editing

Project management

Field survey techniques

Communication skills

GIS Data Collection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story. Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

HDR is seeking a qualified Biologist/Regulatory Specialist to support field monitoring, observations of construction activities tied to regulatory permit compliance, and support environmental permitting, and biology technical work on small, medium, and large projects in California. This is a unique opportunity that supports projects in our transportation, water, and natural resources market sectors. It will provide unique experiences in field work, report writing, analysis, and permitting in close coordination with project team members and subject matter experts that will foster learning and skill development across multiple disciplines and project types.

Responsibilities

• Conducting short and long-term environmental monitoring of existing sensitive, candidate, threatened, and/or endangered species prior to, during and after construction projects.
• Conducting mitigation monitoring, and wildlife and/or botanical and/or wetland surveys including species surveys and habitat evaluations.
• Observing construction activities and Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation and documenting compliance with regulatory permit requirements and coordination with Resident Engineer.
• Perform field inspections and surveys using GIS Data Collection tools and provide mapping exhibits with the results.
• Work on assignments that require dealing with diverse working conditions while in the field, including working adjacent to highways and extended work hours or night work, as needed.
• Work independently on medium-size projects or assist more‑senior scientists on larger projects.
• Conduct biological field surveys, data interpretation and analysis, and plan and manage written environmental reports.
• Give directions to clerical and technical personnel as needed.
• Working with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and clients to analyze potential impacts on biological resources.
• Perform scientific/environmental project assignments requiring application of moderately complex objectives and limited variables.
• Developing biological resources technical reports, assessments, focused studies, and regulatory permitting applications.
• Coordinating with regulatory agencies to facilitate permit approval and regulatory compliance activities for various types of projects.
  • California and Federal Endangered Species Act consultations
  • Other state/local permits in California and the Western United States
  • Permit applications for resource agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, NOAA Fisheries, and California Coastal Commission
  • FERC regulatory processes
• Contribute to CEQA and NEPA documents, biological evaluations/assessments, monitoring reports, mitigation plans, and associated documents to address project impacts.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Transportation/Transit Agencies
• Minimum three (3) years of demonstrated experience managing field services in conjunction with project construction activities and schedule.
• Possess or obtain the necessary collecting and/or handling permits, and/or have species specific experience, in order to provide services as required for all sensitive, threatened, and endangered species.
• 5+ years of experience conducting and managing biological resources surveys, impact analysis, reporting, and/or regulatory permitting in California.
• Experience with species and habitats in Northern and Central California.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrable technical writing/editing ability, and commitment to quality in both work processes and products.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or closely related field
• A minimum of 5 years experience managing biological/environmental projects
• Leadership skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $95,638.00 - $147,555.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location

United States-California-Walnut Creek

Other Locations

United States-California-Oakland, United States-California-Santa Clara

Industry

Environment/Sciences

Schedule

Full‑time

Employee Status

Regular

Business Class

Environmental Sci and Planning

Job Posting

Apr 14, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.