Senior Biologist

Stantec; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 93,800 - 140,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Paid family leave

Job summary

Stantec is looking for an experienced project manager in Santa Barbara, California, to oversee renewable energy and other development projects. The role involves managing project teams, conducting biological assessments, and preparing technical documents. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience and a BS in a related field.

Key skills include project management, strong communication, and familiarity with federal and state environmental regulations. This is an opportunity to work within a dynamic team focused on environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in environmental science or a related field.
• Strong experience in preparing biological resources documents and technical reports.
• Demonstrable experience in managing field teams and environmental projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects and supervise staff for renewable energy and other development projects.
• Plan and review technical reports and contribute to RFP responses.
• Coordinate with clients and regulators for survey results communication.

Skills

Project management

Biological impact assessment

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

BS in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, or related field

Tools

GPS/GIS technology

Job description

What You Will Do for Stantec

• Manage projects, supervise staff, lead and mentor project field teams, and provide support to other project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects.
• Schedule, assist, and/or lead teams for field tasks, such as special‑status species surveys/inventories, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide guidance to junior staff, including training recommendations, coaching, and mentoring.
• Plan, prepare, and review technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments.
• Work with business development teams and lead efforts to respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including defining scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents.
• Contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.
• Coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of survey efforts and technical reports.
• Lead development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations.
• Assist teams and lead efforts in pursuing and contributing to new business opportunities and effective technical proposals.
• Have a target 75-80% direct project utilization goal.
• Conduct occasional overnight travel within and outside of southern California.

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrable experience in all aspects of project management, biological impact assessment and mitigation strategy development, and preparation and review of biological resources documents.
• Strong support and collaboration in delivering high‑quality work products to multi‑disciplinary project teams within scope, budget and schedule expectations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Business development acumen with established relationships with clients and regulatory agency staff or ability to develop and maintain these relationships.
• Significant experience in reviewing and analyzing scientific data, maps, and drawings with strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.
• Background and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of southern California, including floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species‑specific protocol surveys. Experience elsewhere is a plus.
• Experience with, or permits for, arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise is 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 is a plus.
• Qualifications or experience as a USFWS‑approved biologist for federally listed species or as a CDFW‑approved Designated Biologist (DB) is a plus, particularly for desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel.
• Significant experience in preparing technical documentation, including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports (BRTRs), jurisdictional waters delineations and Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (ARDRs), and/or biological resources sections for CEQA/NEPA documents.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes, particularly in southern California. Includes experience with CEQA/NEPA, FESA/CESA, MBTA/BGEPA, CWA, Porter‑Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California Fish and Game Code, California Coastal Act and Local Coastal Programs, and Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
• Significant experience in preparing regulatory permit applications such as Clean Water Act Section 404/401, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, and/or federal/state Incidental Take Permits (ITPs).
• Experience contributing to environmental permitting of energy facilities, pipelines, and/or linear infrastructure projects.
• Experience working on construction projects, compliance monitoring, environmental training, and interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post‑construction monitoring/reporting on small to large projects.
• Experience using GPS/GIS technology to collect biological survey data, map vegetation communities, and/or delineate jurisdictional waters.
• Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience in conducting jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations is a plus.
• Ability to occasionally travel.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• A medical physical and/or drug and alcohol screening may be required for some project assignments.
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment.

Education and Experience

BS (MS preferred) in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience.

Typical Office Environment

Typical office environment with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods. Field work may include exposure to the elements, inclement weather, and lifting and moving items and equipment up to 50 lbs.

Job Description

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas: $93,800.00 – $140,800.00 annually.
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas: $100,700.00 – $151,000.00 annually.

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 savings 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 each calendar year and will accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and paid sick leave as required by 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.

Primary Location

United States | CA | Los Angeles

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants and prohibits 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, termination 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.