Biologist (Crotch's Bumble Bee)

Rincon Consultants; Ventura (CA); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Generous time off

Job summary

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Biologist to join our Natural Resources team in Southern California. The role focuses on leading focused Crotch’s bumble bee surveys and contributing to regional fieldwork, with emphasis on coordination, schedules, budgets, and reporting.

You will travel across Central and Southern California, support project management, and develop technical writing skills within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related field.
• 3+ years of environmental consulting or related field experience.
• CDFW MOU authorizing Crotch’s bumble bee or ability to obtain by spring 2027.
• Experience with focused bumble bee surveys, data collection and reporting.
• Familiarity with CEQA/NEPA and related regulations.
• Willingness to travel across California, including overnight stays.
• Strong writing, data-management and QA/QC skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead focused Crotch’s bumble bee surveys per CDFW guidance.
• Coordinate survey planning, field activities, data collection, and reporting.
• Conduct reconnaissance surveys, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping.
• Perform desktop reviews using databases, imagery, and literature.
• Prepare technical reports and CEQA/NEPA related documents.
• Organise field data and assist with QA/QC processes.
• Support project managers with scopes, schedules, budgets, and client communication.

Skills

Field data collection

Technical writing

Project coordination

Strong communication

Travel flexibility

Education

BS/MS in Biology

Tools

GIS software

Job description

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

We are seeking a Biologist to join our Natural Resources team in Southern California. A primary focus of this role will be supporting and leading focused surveys for Crotch’s bumble bee (CBB), which will require frequent travel throughout Central and Southern California. You’ll also contribute to a variety of regional biological fieldwork, including general biological reconnaissance surveys, vegetation mapping, and habitat assessments.

In addition to your field responsibilities, you’ll assist with project coordination, schedules, budgets, and technical reporting, giving you the opportunity to deepen your biological expertise while building project management skills within a collaborative team.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Ventura and Los Angeles.

What You’ll Do

• Lead focused Crotch’s bumble bee surveys in accordance with current California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) guidance and MOU requirements
• Coordinate survey planning, field activities, data collection, documentation, and technical reporting for CBB projects
• Conduct general biological reconnaissance surveys, habitat assessments, vegetation mapping using Manual of California Vegetation (MCV), aquatic resource delineations, and other biological fieldwork
• Perform desktop reviews using biological databases, aerial imagery, mapping tools, literature, and other available resources
• Prepare technical reports, memoranda, biological resource assessments, aquatic resource delineation reports, and supporting documentation for CEQA/NEPA review and regulatory permitting
• Organise and interpret field data and participate in QA/QC processes to support accurate, high-quality deliverables
• Assist project managers with scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing coordination, deliverable tracking, and client communication
• Drive Rincon and personal vehicles across a variety of road conditions, including highways, rural roads, and off-road within project sites

What You’ll Bring

• BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of relevant experience in environmental consulting, biological fieldwork, or natural resource management
• A current CDFW MOU authorizing capture of Crotch’s bumble bee, or demonstrated qualifications to obtain one by spring 2027. Obtaining and maintaining the required MOU by spring 2027 is required for this role
• Experience conducting focused bumble bee surveys, including field data collection, species identification, documentation, and reporting
• Experience with biological reconnaissance surveys, habitat assessments, or related fieldwork
• Strong technical writing, research, and data-management skills
• Familiarity with CEQA, NEPA, CESA, ESA, the Clean Water Act, and related biological resource regulations
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with an interest in developing project and task management capabilities
• Detail-oriented and self-driven, with the ability to balance fieldwork, technical assignments, and multiple deadlines
• Flexibility to conduct fieldwork in varying terrain and weather conditions and travel throughout California, including overnight stays and seasonal field demands

Nice to Have

• Experience conducting aquatic resource delineations and botanical surveys and preparing related technical reports
• Experience developing scopes, schedules, and budgets for CBB or other biological survey efforts

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $72,000–$94,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.