Senior Biologist & Permitting Lead: Wetlands & ESA Compliance

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

PPTO (Personalized Paid Time Off)

Seven paid holidays

Job summary

Jacobs seeks a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist to lead regulatory environmental studies and permitting for infrastructure projects in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest. You will guide field surveys, coordinate with agencies, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

This role emphasizes leadership, regulatory expertise, and client engagement, with opportunities for business development. The position operates under a hybrid policy with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in environmental consulting or agency work.
• Experience with WA state and federal permitting programs (Clean Water Act, USACE 404/401).
• Ability to lead aquatic resource surveys and field teams.
• Willingness to travel to client facilities as needed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to assemble regulatory studies and permits.
• Lead fieldwork in WA and support projects across the PNW following protocols.
• Assist with environmental documents under NEPA/SEPA as applicable.
• Support business development and client relationship activities.
• Prepare scopes of work and estimate effort for tasks.
• Mentor junior staff and manage project tasks.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Regulatory coordination

Project management

Field surveys

GPS / field data collection

Education

BS or MS in Biology/Ecology/Environmental Science

Tools

Permitting processes

Job description

Jacobs seeks a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist to lead regulatory environmental studies and permitting for infrastructure projects in Washington and across the Pacific Northwest. You will guide field surveys, coordinate with agencies, and mentor junior staff in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

This role emphasizes leadership, regulatory expertise, and client engagement, with opportunities for business development. The position operates under a hybrid policy with travel as needed.