Regional Biology Lead

BKF Engineers; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 153,691 - 187,845; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries and profit sharing

Education reimbursement

Generous paid time off

Job summary

BKF Engineers in Oakland is seeking a Bay Area Regional Biology Lead to join their biological resources and regulatory permitting team. The ideal candidate will manage projects, train biology staff, and engage in business development.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Biological Resources with over 10 years of ecological experience. The position promotes a collaborative approach and is compatible with remote work while requiring physical presence in the Bay Area.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in ecological fieldwork.
• Established relationships with clients in the Bay Area.
• Ability to train and oversee staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management oversight and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Lead business development and participate in project interviews.
• Supervise and develop entry-level staff.

Skills

Project management oversight

Business development activities

Technical writing

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Resources or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

At BKF, we're not just growing—we're thriving! As a dynamic multi-service consulting firm, we specialize in planning, engineering, surveying, and construction management. With more than 20 West Coast offices, we've been a trusted partner in the land development, transportation, water resources, and government services and markets for over 110 years. Our firm combines deep technical resources with a collaborative approach to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that bring community visions to life. If you're looking to be part of a forward-thinking company that's making a real impact, BKF is the place for you!

BKF is hiring a Bay Area Regional Biology Lead to support our growing biological resources and regulatory permitting team. The ideal candidate will be able to train and oversee biology staff, manage projects, and assist with business development. The position is compatible with remote work, but a physical presence in the Bay Area is required. This position is ideal for an experienced candidate who wants to lead their own team of biologists and regulatory specialists and take a meaningful leadership role in team building and project execution.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide project management oversight on projects, including preparing and managing project budgets and task descriptions, and interacting with clients.
• Lead business development activities, including preparing proposals, participating in project interviews, and conducting proactive business development with key clients.
• Serve as a project/task manager on biological and regulatory permitting projects.
• Support clients in need of environmental permitting, including but not limited to Incidental Take Permits, Habitat Conservation Plan Drafting and consistency analyses, Clean Water Act 401 and 404 permits, California Coastal Commission permits, and CDFW Section 1600 permitting. Provide and compare multiple permitting pathways for clients to consider.
• Lead jurisdictional delineations and other related fieldwork in support of regulatory permitting tasks, and train team members on best practices for fieldwork.
• Drive thought leadership and MNS name recognition by presenting at conferences, publishing white papers, and serving in a leadership role in professional organizations.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams including planners, engineers, and environmental scientists.
• Supervise and manage entry-level staff; coach, mentor, and develop staff.

Requirements

• Established relationships with potential clients in the Bay Area and surrounding regions; candidate must be physically based in the Bay Area.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Biological Resources, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred.
• Completion of wetland delineation training from a known school or program.
• 10+ years of experience conducting vegetation mapping, habitat assessments, jurisdictional delineation of waters and wetlands, and presence/absence surveys.
• Experience supporting mitigation compliance and construction monitoring projects.
• Staff and project/task management experience preferred.
• Strong technical writing, data analysis, and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups.
• High energy, passionate, forward‑thinking, results‑oriented, team player, and resourceful leader.
• Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders.

Physical Demands

Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse, and occasionally lift, pull/push, and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions

Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting; exposure to high‑stress, fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $153,691.00 - $187,845.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401(k).
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 paid holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award‑winning benefits and perks. To learn more.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.