Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist

LSA; Clovis (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LSA Associates, Inc (LSA) seeks a Senior Biologist and Regulatory Permitting Specialist to support California's Central Valley environmental practice, combining biology and regulatory acumen to move projects through review and permitting.

The ideal candidate will lead field assessments, prepare technical documents, coordinate with agencies, mentor staff, and provide strategy to navigate CEQA/NEPA and related regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in biology, botany, ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Central Valley plant and wildlife species, including special-status species and sensitive habitats.
• Substantial experience preparing and processing environmental permit applications and coordinating with federal, State, and regional regulatory agencies.
• Strong understanding of CEQA, NEPA, the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and related biological resource requirements.
• Experience with Section 7 consultation and preparation or review of biological assessments and supporting documentation.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, organization, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to understand client objectives and develop practical strategies that move projects forward while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing project scopes, schedules, budgets, staff assignments, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and provide clear technical guidance and quality-control review.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within established schedules and budgets.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and agency meetings throughout the Central Valley, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead biological resource assessments, field surveys, impact analyses, and preparation of related technical reports.
• Identify potential effects on special-status species, sensitive natural communities, wetlands, and other aquatic resources.
• Develop practical and defensible avoidance, minimization, mitigation, monitoring, and compliance measures.
• Prepare, manage, and obtain regulatory permits and approvals from agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and California State Lands Commission.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable permitting requirements and processes, including: California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements; Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404; Rivers and Harbors Act Section 408 permissions; Central Valley Flood Protection Board encroachment permits; California State Lands Commission leases and approvals; Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation; and other applicable federal and State biological resource requirements.
• Prepare and manage permit applications and supporting materials through systems such as the Environmental Permit Information Management System (EPIMS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Request System (RSS).
• Coordinate with clients, engineers, environmental planners, regulatory agencies, and other technical specialists to resolve issues and maintain Project schedules.
• Support environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including preparation and review of biological resource sections and supporting technical documentation.
• Manage multiple projects, including scopes of work, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and quality-control reviews.
• Provide clients with clear, responsive, and solution-oriented guidance regarding environmental constraints, regulatory requirements, and permitting strategies.
• Mentor and oversee junior biologists and permitting staff, including providing technical direction, reviewing work products, and supporting professional development.
• Assist with proposal preparation, client development, and efforts to expand the firm’s biological resources and regulatory permitting practice in the Central Valley.

Job description

LSA Associates, Inc (LSA) seeks a Senior Biologist and Regulatory Permitting Specialist to support California's Central Valley environmental practice, combining biology and regulatory acumen to move projects through review and permitting.

The ideal candidate will lead field assessments, prepare technical documents, coordinate with agencies, mentor staff, and provide strategy to navigate CEQA/NEPA and related regulatory requirements.