Project Biologist

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 62,500 - 90,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid family leave

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. is looking for a consulting biologist with 2 to 5 years of experience to join our Southern California Ecosystems Group. The role involves contributing to renewable energy projects, conducting field surveys, and preparing technical documentation.

Ideal candidates should have a strong understanding of Southern California’s ecosystems and be proficient in using GIS technology. The position requires a collaborative spirit and offers potential travel opportunities within the region.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 to 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record required.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers in renewable energy and development projects.
• Conduct field surveys and assessments.
• Prepare technical documentation including biological survey reports.

Skills

Collaborative team member

Knowledge of Southern California flora and fauna

Strong verbal and technical writing skills

Proficient in MS Office

Experience with GPS/GIS technology

Education

BS/MS degree in Biological Sciences or related field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Field Maps

Job description

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 2 to 5 years of experience to join our Southern California Ecosystems Group by operating out of one of our Southern California offices, including but not necessarily limited to: Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Paramount, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Maria, and Ventura. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in Southern California and elsewhere.

What You Will Do for Stantec

• Contribute to project field teams and provide support to project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects.
• Conduct field tasks, as needed, such as special‑status species surveys/inventories, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, and compliance monitoring.
• Contribute to technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments.
• May contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.
• Have a target 85‑90% direct project utilization goal.
• Conduct overnight travel within and outside of Southern California.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi‑disciplinary project and field teams.
• Proficient in policies and procedures for Health and Safety, including client‑specific training, leading by example, and applying Health and Safety policies and procedures as appropriate to their work.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently and within project scope, budget and schedule expectations.
• Demonstrable background, knowledge, and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of Southern California.
• Experience in conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species‑specific protocol surveys.
• Experience with and/or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise will be considered a plus.
• Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and/or federal Recovery Permit for one or more special‑status species will be considered a plus.
• Qualifications and/or experience with being considered a USFWS‑approved biologist for one or more federally listed species and/or a CDFW‑approved Designated Biologist (DB) will be considered a plus, particularly for desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel.
• Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience in conducting jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations will be considered a plus.
• Possess strong verbal and technical writing skills and have the ability to effectively communicate with team members.
• Contributing to the preparation of technical documentation including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports (BRTRs), and jurisdictional waters delineations and Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (ARDRs).
• Some familiarity of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes, particularly in Southern California.
• Experience in compliance monitoring, environmental training, interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post‑construction monitoring/reporting on small to large projects.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Experience with using GPS/GIS technology (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Online, and/or Field Maps) to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters.
• Must have ability to travel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment.

Education and Experience

BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field with a minimum of 2 to 5 years of experience.

Typical Office Environment

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future‑proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas – $62,500.00 - $90,600.00 Annually
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas – $67,000.00 - $97,200.00 Annually

Pay Transparency

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary

Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full‑time and part‑time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.