Biologist - Environmental Specialist

Michael Baker Intl.; Temecula (CA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Baker Intl. is seeking a highly motivated biological services professional to lead field surveys and manage regulatory compliance for various land development projects in Southern California. With an emphasis on collaboration and regulatory expertise, the role involves supervising survey operations, creating technical reports, and contributing to habitat restoration efforts, making it ideal for candidates with a solid biological background.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Generous paid time off

Life and disability insurance

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in biological services-oriented work.
• Strong background in southern California plants and ecology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead local and regional field survey efforts.
• Conduct stream/wetland mapping and prepare regulatory permits.
• Coordinate compliance monitoring during construction phases.

Skills

Biological survey

Enviromental compliance

Communication

Technical writing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Resource Management

Applicable advanced degrees

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Michael Baker is seeking a highly motivated candidate with the ability to complete biological tasks for various types of projects in the southern California region, specifically Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties. The ideal candidate would have a strong working knowledge of biological survey and reporting standards, construction monitoring, and regulatory permitting and environmental compliance. Experience conducting and managing the following tasks through completion is required: general biological resource field surveys, vegetation community mapping, focused botanical and wildlife surveys, aquatic resources delineations, and construction monitoring. Additionally, the position requires coordination and preparation of environmental review documents, monitoring reports, critical thinking and solution-oriented approaches to problems, daily planning of assignments and tasks, and additional duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate would be part of a team that services a variety of projects associated with land development (e.g., residential, commercial), public works (e.g., flood control, transportation, water resource), habitat restoration, and other market sectors. Responsibilities would include leading day-to-day biological services at the direction of the Natural Resources Manager in the Temecula office and working collaboratively with Michael Baker’s extensive network of in-house professionals including other natural resource experts, environmental planners, land development specialists, regulatory specialists, engineers, hydrologists, and GIS analysts. A balance of field survey days and WFH/office days will vary from week-to-week and seasonally.

Typical tasks may include, but not be limited to:

• Lead local and regional field survey efforts
• Conduct stream/wetland mapping and prepare regulatory agency permit applications
• Compliance coordination and monitoring during the construction phase of a project
• Support habitat restoration planning and execution projects
• Technical research and report writing (e.g., general biological resources reports, focused survey reports, mitigation plans, technical memos, MSHCP consistency analyses, etc.)
• Manage personal workload and coordinate schedule with group manager

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Resource Management, or related field
• Applicable advanced degrees and permits/MOUs from the USFWS or CDFW for plant voucher collecting and wildlife species surveys are beneficial
• 5+ years of experience with biological services-oriented work including involvement and proficiency with regulatory permitting and compliance per CEQA, NEPA, CWA, MBTA, CFGC, FESA, and CESA
• Strong background in botany andidentification of southern California plants
• Experience leading and conducting biology surveys, including vegetation mapping and focused species surveys
• Experience leading and managing compliance programs for the construction and implementation phase of projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate technical knowledge and analyses in reports, team meetings, and client interactions
• Knowledge of the Western Riverside MSHCP and Coachella Valley MSHCP
• Strong computer skills using the Microsoft Office Suite
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS tools and search functions

COMPENSATION

The approximate compensation range for this position $59,862.40 - $94,307.20 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL EEO STATEMENT

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.