Field Biologist & Project Lead — Hybrid (Central CA)

GHD; San Luis Obispo (CA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

GHD in Central California is seeking a Biologist to join a team of natural resources scientists and engineers. The role supports NRIA projects across the central coast, with field surveys, reporting, and permitting tasks.

The position is located in San Luis Obispo and follows a hybrid model with in-office days. Responsibilities include coordinating with project teams, preparing technical reports, and contributing to proposals while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing or contributing to NEPA and CEQA documentation and environmental permit applications.
• Experience working with private clients, municipalities, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to independently organize tasks, balance changing workload, and meet quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Experience supporting biological construction monitoring and environmental compliance programs.
• Experience conducting wildlife and/or botanical surveys and documenting results clearly.
• Knowledge of regulatory coordination processes and agency expectations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; collaborative approach.
• Cross-disciplinary experience in wildlife biology, fisheries, botany, wetlands, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers with scopes of work, schedules, and budgets.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct biological field surveys and environmental compliance activities.
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports, permit applications, and mitigation plans.
• Apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations to project tasks.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, clients, contractors, and agencies.
• Lead field tasks and mentor junior staff as needed.
• Support environmental permitting including permit materials preparation.
• Identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Contribute to proposals with technical approaches and fee estimates.
• Build relationships with internal and external clients and maintain high service quality.

Skills

NEPA/CEQA

Environmental permitting

Team leadership

Biology field surveys

Regulatory coordination

Project coordination

Report writing

Travel readiness

Cross-disciplinary

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

GHD in Central California is seeking a Biologist to join a team of natural resources scientists and engineers. The role supports NRIA projects across the central coast, with field surveys, reporting, and permitting tasks.

The position is located in San Luis Obispo and follows a hybrid model with in-office days. Responsibilities include coordinating with project teams, preparing technical reports, and contributing to proposals while mentoring junior staff.