CEQA Specialist - Biological Resources

Aspen Environmental Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspen Environmental Group seeks a seasoned Biological Resources professional in Los Angeles to write and edit CEQA biology sections for EIRs, ISs, and MNDs. You will develop impact analyses and mitigation strategies under CEQA and provide regulatory expertise across federal and state programs.

Requirements include strong written and verbal communication, California resource knowledge, and ability to travel to remote field sites. Experience with NEPA and wetlands permitting is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience writing biological resource sections for CEQA documents.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
• Strong verbal communication with clients and agencies.
• Familiarity with federal/state regulations on sensitive biological resources.
• Knowledge of California biology resources.
• Ability to interpret and collate biological field data.
• Ability to travel to remote locations.
• NEPA experience preferred.
• Wetland delineation and permitting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit biological resource sections of CEQA documents, including EIRs, ISs, and MNDs.
• Develop impact analyses and mitigation strategies under CEQA.
• Provide technical support related to CEQA, Endangered Species Acts, CWA sections, and related permit applications.
• Review and provide feedback on biological technical reports and regulatory documents.
• Participate in interdisciplinary and interagency teams to support energy and infrastructure projects.
• Support proposals and budgets with issue area expertise.
• Lead and plan biological resource field investigations, staffing, survey procedures, and data collection.
• Perform periodic biological field investigations in remote areas to collect baseline data.
• Interact with clients and agency personnel.

Skills

Biological impact analysis

CEQA writing

Regulatory knowledge

Written communication

Field data interpretation

Remote travel ability

Education

Bachelors in biological sciences

Tools

BIOS

CNDDB

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory

iNaturalist

Job description

Responsibilities

• Working independently and/or as part of a team to write and edit biological resource sections of CEQA documents, including Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies, and Mitigated Negative Declarations.
• Developing adequate impact analyses and mitigation strategies under CEQA.
• Providing technical support and expertise related to local, State, and federal regulations, including, but not limited to, CEQA, federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, and Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code, and developing associated permit applications.
• Reviewing and providing feedback on biological technical reports and regulatory documents.
• Participating in interdisciplinary and/or interagency teams to support a wide range of energy and infrastructure projects.
• Providing issue area support during the development of proposals and budgets.
• Leading and planning biological resource field investigations, including staffing coordination, survey procedures, and data collection, in support of project development and regulatory permitting.
• Performing periodic biological field investigations in sometimes remote locations to collect baseline information or verify existing data.
• Interacting with client and agency personnel.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience or demonstrated knowledge of analyzing biological impacts and developing mitigation strategies under CEQA.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience or demonstrated knowledge of regulatory permitting pursuant to USFWS, CDFW, USACE, and RWQCB requirements.
• A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a closely related field.

Qualifications

• Must have demonstrated experience in writing biological resource sections for CEQA documents.
• Must have exceptional written communication skills, particularly the ability to produce high-quality written reports.
• Must have exceptional verbal communication skills to effectively interact with clients, agency personnel, and coworkers.
• Must have established experience with federal and State regulations pertaining to sensitive biological resources.
• Must have exhibited knowledge of sensitive biological resources in California (regional knowledge is acceptable).
• Must have experience with online database resources (e.g., BIOS, CNDDB, CNPS Rare Plant Inventory, iNaturalist, etc.)
• Must have the ability to interpret and collate biological field data and technical reports.
• Must be self-motivated with ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Must have the ability to periodically travel to sometimes distant and remote locations in areas of rugged terrain and under potentially inclement weather conditions.
• Experience developing biological resources sections under NEPA preferred but not required.
• Experience with conducting wetland delineations and permitting for federal and State jurisdictional waters and wetlands preferred but not required.

Compensation

Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience.