Environmental Project (Biological) Manager

County of Riverside; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Riverside's Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) Planning Department invites applications for an Environmental Project (Biological) Manager in Riverside. The role leads the Biology Unit within Environmental Programs, overseeing habitat conservation plans, regulatory compliance, and ecological assessments for land development.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in ecological resource management, GIS and mapping, MSHCP familiarity, and experience

Qualifications

• Four years of professional transportation land use or water resource planning experience with at least two years in a lead/managerial role.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree highly desired.
• California Driver's License required; willingness to travel across the county.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Habitat Conservation Plans/Natural Community Conservation Plans implementation and ensure project consistency.
• Review biological elements of land use applications for policy compliance.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies (CDFW, USFWS, RCA, ACOE) on environmental reviews.

Skills

Leadership in environmental teams

GIS mapping

Project management

UAV/Drone experience

MSHCP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/biological science

Advanced degree desired

Tools

GIS software

Regulatory databases

Job description

The County of Riverside's Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Project (Biological) Manager. This position plays a critical role in managing the Biology Unit within the Department’s Environmental Programs Division, located in Riverside.

The Environmental Project (Biological) Manager position focuses on the management of ecological resources. The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the implementation of, and ensuring proposed project consistency with, Habitat Conservation Plans/Natural Community Conservation Plans.
• Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and practices associated with land development projects.
• Reviewing and evaluating the biological elements of land use applications to ensure practical implementation of regional ecological policies and guidelines.
• Performing environmental evaluations related to ecological reserve/conservation configurations, urban/wildland interface issues, sensitive habitats/vegetation, animal movement, species relocation plans, revegetation plans, and other land use issues resulting from public and private development.
• Conducting meetings with various regulating agencies, including, but not limited to, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).
• Reviewing biological assessments to ensure proper mitigation measures and conservation plan consistency, which may include, but are not limited to: Habitat Assessments, Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Consistency Analyses, Jurisdictional Delineations, and Determinations of Biologically Equivalent or Superior Preservation (DBESP).

In addition to the minimum qualifications, competitive candidates will possess:

• Supervisory or managerial experience overseeing professional biological or environmental staff.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP).
• Experience working within California local government, consulting, resource agencies, or regional conservation programs is highly desirable.
• Strong technical background in ecological resource management paired with advanced mapping and technology skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of GIS mapping principles, application utilization, data input, and file sharing.
• Knowledge of, or experience applying, UAV/Drone technologies for site review and documentation will be especially competitive.
• An advanced degree in environmental, biological science, or a closely related field.
• A California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Scientific Collecting Permit.
• A relevant certificate, license, or demonstrable experience in a biological discipline directly related to the work performed by the County, such as:
  • Wetlands Delineation
  • Regulatory Permitting

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

Meet the Team!

The Planning Department is responsible for Riverside County's General Plan, a comprehensive long‑range plan intended to guide the growth and development of unincorporated areas within the County. This department formulates growth management plans and zoning for the County.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably in engineering, physical, chemical, environmental, or biological science, planning, public administration, urban or physical geography, geology, architecture, or closely related field to the assignment. An advanced degree in a scientific field of study is highly desired.

Experience:

Four years of professional transportation land use or water resource planning experience, which included two years of experience with responsibility for project oversight in a lead, supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity.

Other Requirements

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required. This position involves travel to various locations throughout the county to conduct site visits.

Physical/Environmental Conditions/Requirements

• Walk over uneven outdoor terrain and work in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Be exposed to a variety of weather elements (e.g., high temperatures, rain) and local wildlife while performing field duties.

Essential job duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, see “Reasonable Accommodations” under APPLICATION INFORMATION.

Knowledge of:

The principles and practices of project management especially as they apply to public works and/or development activities; the principles and practices of land use and transportation planning; environmental monitoring; state and federal standards concerning public works and/or land use design and construction; techniques of project management, personnel management, and project funding and budgeting; the laws and regulations affecting environmental permitting and permit clearance including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Clean Water Act, and California Porter‑Cologne Water Quality Control Act.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, and direct the work of an environmental or water resources planning unit; lay out and supervise the work of professional or water resources environmental personnel; perform difficult technical research, analyze situations accurately, and adopt effective courses of action; review, evaluate, and comment on proposed environmental plans or legislation that affect the Department's environmental process; review current department practices, prepare policies or revise existing policies to ensure environmental compliance; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

General Information

If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at [e-mail] or [phone]. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.