Senior Botanist/ Project Manager

AECOM; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Senior Botanist/Project Manager to lead botanical surveys and habitat assessments in Oakland. This hybrid role involves managing project tasks, budgets, and schedules while providing technical expertise in botany and environmental compliance. You will work closely with clients and internal teams to ensure successful project outcomes, contributing to vital infrastructure and restoration projects. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and the environment, while enjoying a collaborative workplace that champions your growth and career ambitions.

Benefits

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Flexible work options

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Business travel insurance

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in botanical field work and project management.
• Bachelor’s Degree in botany, ecology, or related discipline required.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects involving botanical resources protection and surveys.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

Skills

Botanical field work

Project management

Technical writing

Communication skills

Wetland ecology knowledge

Flora identification

Environmental permitting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in botany or ecology

Tools

The Jepson eFlora

Dichotomous keys

Manual of California Vegetation

CalFlora

Job description

AECOM Senior Botanist/ Project Manager in Oakland, California

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a highly talented Senior Botanist/Project Manager with experience in protocol-level botanical surveys, botanical habitat assessments, vegetation characterization and mapping, and/or wetland ecology. This hybrid position is based in AECOM’s Oakland office and would support a variety of clients on projects throughout northern California.

The Natural Resources Department employs more than 35 staff, including botanists, wetland specialists, permitting specialists, and wildlife biologists. The Department is dynamic, energetic, and one where diligent work is rewarded. Project work at this office is primarily related to transportation, utilities, infrastructure, and restoration, and involves field surveys, restoration planning, environmental permitting, NEPA/CEQA compliance, and project monitoring.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

1. Works closely with clients and internal staff on projects involving botanical resources protection, surveys, reporting, permitting, mitigation, and/or restoration.
2. Act as Project Manager on multiple projects, including responsible and timely management of budget, project tasks, schedules, and project teams. Operates as primary point of contact for clients on projects.
3. Utilize a background in botany to inform the preparation and senior review of technical reports.
4. Act as a senior lead for a variety of field surveys, such as protocol-level rare plant surveys; rare plant census counts; quantitative vegetation monitoring; botanical assessments; non-native invasive plant mapping and management; implementation of rare plant mitigation and monitoring; and/or vegetation classification and mapping.
5. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior and mid-level staff.
6. Contribute as an active and positive member of AECOM’s Environmental practice in the SF Bay Area.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in botany, ecology, or other closely related discipline.
2. 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education with botanical field work and reporting.
3. Valid driver license required and must be able to safely drive to job sites.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

1. 8 years of relevant experience in botanical field work and project management.
2. Experience as a Project Manager on projects involving botanical surveys or other environmental tasks.
3. Proficiency with Northern California flora; ability to sight-identify plants and plant communities in the field (terrestrial and aquatic habitats).
4. Possess fluency with plant identification tools including The Jepson eFlora and other dichotomous keys, local floras, the Manual of California Vegetation, and electronic resources (e.g. CalFlora, Jepson eFlora).
5. Excellent technical writing skills to prepare high-quality documents and conduct senior technical review of documents prepared by others.
6. Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally in person, virtually, and through email to maintain positive relationships with managers, colleagues, subcontractors, and clients.
7. Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
8. Marketing and proposal experience.
9. Knowledge of wetland ecology and/or wetland delineation experience.
10. Experience preparing scopes of work and cost estimates.
11. Experience in environmental permitting.

Additional Information

• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Offered compensation will be based on location and individual qualifications. The expected range is $110,000.00 - $130,000.00.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10126328

Business Line: Environment

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: West

Work Location Model: Hybrid

Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc