Staff Biologist

GHD; San Luis Obispo (CA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

GHD’s Central California Biologist role is based in San Luis Obispo, offering a hybrid schedule with three days in the office weekly. You will lead project teams, conduct biological surveys, prepare reports, and support NEPA/CEQA compliance on restoration and construction projects.

The ideal candidate brings 3–8 years in natural resources consulting, strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to coordinate cross-disciplinary teams while meeting budget and schedule goals.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing NEPA and CEQA documentation and environmental permit applications.
• Experience working with private clients, municipalities, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to independently organize tasks, balance workload, and meet quality and budget goals.
• Experience supporting biological construction monitoring and environmental compliance programs.
• Experience conducting wildlife and/or botanical surveys and documenting results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers with scopes of work, schedules, budgets, task coordination, and project documentation.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct biological field surveys, habitat assessments, construction monitoring, and environmental compliance activities.
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports, permit applications, mitigation measures, monitoring plans, and other deliverables.
• Apply knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations to project tasks and recommendations.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, clients, contractors, and regulatory agency staff.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to junior staff and field teams.

Skills

NEPA/CEQA docs

Client coordination

Project organization

Biological surveys

Wildlife biology

Regulatory coordination

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources/related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

GHD has an exciting opportunity in Central California for a Biologist!

GHD’s US West Region Natural Resources and Impact Assessment (NR&IA) Group supports projects throughout central coast region of California. Project work will largely include a variety of remedial construction and restoration projects in California, in addition to opportunities for capital improvement projects in both national and international projects. You will contribute to proposals and business development, leading and building a team of scientists, and mentoring and teaching young professionals.

Location

San Luis Obispo

Hybrid Work Model

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers with scopes of work, schedules, budgets, task coordination, and project documentation.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct biological field surveys, habitat assessments, construction monitoring, and environmental compliance activities.
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports, biological resource sections, permit applications, mitigation measures, monitoring plans, and other project deliverables.
• Apply working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations to project tasks and recommendations.
• Coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams, clients, contractors, and regulatory agency staff.
• Complete technical reviews and QA/QC appropriate to experience level, with support from senior technical staff.
• Support federal, state, and municipal environmental permitting, including preparation and coordination of permit application materials.
• Identify field and compliance issues, communicate risks promptly, and help develop practical solutions.
• Contribute to proposals, including technical approaches, scopes, level-of-effort estimates, and fee development.
• Provide day‑to‑day guidance to junior staff and field teams and share technical knowledge across the group.
• Build trusted working relationships with internal and external clients by providing responsive, high‑quality service.
• Stay current on relevant regulations, survey methods, technologies, and emerging practices in natural resources consulting.
• Support field efforts that may involve long days, variable working conditions, and travel outside the region.

Ideal candidate would have the following skills

• Experience preparing or contributing to NEPA and CEQA documentation, federal and state Endangered Species Act documents, biological resource sections, and environmental permit applications such as California Fish and Game Code Section 1602, Clean Water Act Section 404, and Section 401 materials.
• Experience working with private clients, municipalities, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to independently organize assigned tasks, balance a changing workload, and meet quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Experience supporting biological construction monitoring and environmental compliance programs.
• Experience conducting wildlife and/or botanical surveys and documenting results clearly.
• Working knowledge of regulatory coordination processes and agency expectations.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Experience in wildlife biology, fisheries, botany, wetlands, or related natural resources disciplines. Cross‑disciplinary experience is preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Biology, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3 to 8 years of relevant experience completing natural resources surveys, assessments, environmental compliance, permitting, and/or related consulting work. Equivalent qualifications demonstrating technical competence will be considered.
• Approximately 3 or more years of experience in environmental consulting or a comparable project‑delivery environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of biological resources in Central California, the Bay Area, Southern California, or similar California ecosystems.
• Experience leading defined field tasks, coordinating small work teams, or managing discrete project assignments is preferred.
• Current or prior experience working under USFWS 10(a)(1)(A) permits, CDFW Scientific Collecting Permits, or species‑specific MOUs is preferred.
• Professional certification, such as Associate Wildlife Biologist, Certified Wildlife Biologist, or a comparable credential, is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites, including occasional overnight travel.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer sponsorship

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.

Salary Range $66,000-$110,000 based on experience and location

About Us

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with GHD supporting you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.

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At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today. See where your commitment could take you. That’s the #PowerOfCommitment.

Who We Are

GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee‑owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents. The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.