Lead Biologist: Project Lead & Mentor (Hybrid/Remote)

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Half Moon Bay (CA); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Benefits package

Salary transparency

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead, Senior or Principal Biologist in Half Moon Bay, CA. The role involves managing biological resource projects, staff mentorship, and business development with opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and technical review across projects.

The position supports hybrid or remote work, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and regulatory compliance. Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in biology or related field, 8+ years of relevant

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required, Master’s degree highly desired.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in biological surveys and resource management in either the public or private sector.
• Experience of working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists.
• Experience managing subcontractors and ensuring technical excellence.
• Experience in writing technical reports.
• Ability to promote SWCA's services internally and externally.
• Strong wildlife and/or plant identification skills; familiarity with ESA, CEQA, NEPA, permitting and strategy; and excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager or technical lead on a variety of biological resource projects.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are addressed.
• Coordinate and/or lead biological survey and reporting efforts, including jurisdictional waters permitting.
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Work closely with a project team to develop innovative approaches to resource assessment that meet client needs and can withstand agency and public scrutiny.
• Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Skills

Project management

Business development

Staff mentorship

Technical review

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology

Master's degree preferred

Job description

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead, Senior or Principal Biologist in Half Moon Bay, CA. The role involves managing biological resource projects, staff mentorship, and business development with opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and technical review across projects.

The position supports hybrid or remote work, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and regulatory compliance. Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in biology or related field, 8+ years of relevant