Senior Biologist & Permitting Lead - PNW (Hybrid)

Jacobs; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase program

Unlimited PPTO

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist to lead regulatory studies and environmental permitting for infrastructure projects in Washington State and the broader Pacific Northwest. The role spans fieldwork, office tasks, and client coordination within a multidisciplinary team.

You will guide wetland ecology and ESA permitting efforts, coordinate with agencies, and mentor junior staff while contributing to proposals and business development. Hybrid work arrangements apply.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related scientific discipline or technical field.
• 15+ years of environmental consulting or agency experience emphasizing aquatic resources, ESA compliance, fish surveys or permitting.
• Knowledge of WA state and federal permitting programs (CWA, USACE 404/401); experience in OR/ID desirable.
• Ability to lead aquatic resource surveys with knowledge of PNW vegetation, soils and stream types.
• Experience using handheld GPS equipment.
• Experience leading meetings with stakeholders.
• Project management or environmental task lead experience.
• Mentoring junior staff and building teams; strong collaboration skills.
• Ability to travel for project assignments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assemble regulatory studies, reports and permits at local, state and federal levels.
• Lead fieldwork efforts for aquatic resources and vegetation surveys in WA and across PNW.
• Assist with preparation of documents for Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Support NEPA-related environmental reports and assessments; EIS where applicable.
• Contribute to proposals, client relations and business development.
• Prepare scopes of work and estimate effort for tasks.
• Serve as permitting project manager or lead on projects.
• Maintain communications with clients, agencies and subcontractors.
• Mentor junior staff and support staff career growth.

Skills

Wetland surveys

Regulatory compliance

Team mentoring

Project management

Stakeholder meetings

Strong communication

Education

BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science

Tools

Handheld GPS

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist to lead regulatory studies and environmental permitting for infrastructure projects in Washington State and the broader Pacific Northwest. The role spans fieldwork, office tasks, and client coordination within a multidisciplinary team.

You will guide wetland ecology and ESA permitting efforts, coordinate with agencies, and mentor junior staff while contributing to proposals and business development. Hybrid work arrangements apply.