Remote Wildlife Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LOCATIONS: Santa Ana, Los Angeles, San Diego

Chambers Group, Inc. is an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA. Chambers Group provides environmental planning, regulatory permitting, technical studies for biological and cultural resources, and construction mitigation monitoring. We want the best and brightest to join our team – individuals with talent, passion, and commitment who bring new ideas, creativity, and energy. You will find variety, challenges, and growth opportunities. We invite you to discover the potential career opportunities available to you at Chambers Group with the current open position. For more information please visit www.chambersgroupinc.com

We have an immediate need for a senior biologist with 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting projects.

Position Summary

The Senior Biologist is responsible for leading and delivering technical biological studies for medium- to large-scale projects, both as standalone services and in support of broader CEQA/NEPA environmental documents for local, state, and federal agencies. Key responsibilities include preparation of proposals for competitive and sole-source clients, development of new clients, and coordination with internal project managers and biological staff. Preparation of constraints analyses, wetlands delineations, wetlands permit applications, focused survey reports, vegetation mapping, general wildlife or botanical surveys, federally and state-listed sensitive species surveys and permitting documents, and biological resources technical reports in accordance with CEQA/NEPA and related environmental documents. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, high-quality document production, effective permitting strategies, and strong written and oral communication skills, with a proven record of maintaining positive client and project team relationships.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, training, and supervision to biological staff.
• Ensure a high level of technical quality and consistency in all deliverables.
• Serve as Project Manager, including development of scopes of work, budgets, and schedules, coordinating with clients, and planning and executing project and proposal meetings.
• Lead proposal development and business development activities with public- and private-sector clients.
• Prepare competitive and sole-source proposals, including qualifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, milestones, risk assessments, project mitigation matrices, and integration of input from other departments and subcontractors.
• Successfully manage and deliver large and complex projects on time and within budget.
• Experience in successfully managing medium and large-scale projects and multi-year projects.
• Develop and implement environmental workplans to ensure compliance with state and federal permits and mitigation measures.
• Experience managing MSAs, including administrative duties, such as staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation to meet project requirements.
• Drive new bookings with existing and new clients through strong client service and technical excellence.
• Lead the preparation of complex biological sections for environmental permitting documentation, including large, technical documents, biological assessments, and biological sections for PEA, EIR, and IS/MND.
• Provide expert guidance to clients and team members with federal and state regulations, including CEQA/NEPA, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species acts.
• Develop and oversee complex environmental permitting strategies for multifaceted projects.
• Lead regulatory review and preparation of local, state, and federal permit applications, resource analysis, corridor identification, route refinement, agency consultation, and public outreach.
• Lead wetland and jurisdictional surveys and assist with the preparation of wetland and waterbody encroachment permits (CWA Sections 404 and 401, CDFW Section 1600).
• Demonstrate technical expertise in one or more aspects of field biology, such as botany, wildlife biology, restoration, or wetland biology.
• Lead coordination efforts and preparation of Incidental Take Permits and USFWS Section 7 and 10 consultations; support informal and formal endangered species consultation, as appropriate, with the resource agencies.
• For Senior Restoration Ecologists, prepare, design, and implement habitat restoration plans and habitat mitigation and monitoring plans.
• Apply critical thinking; a flexible solution-oriented approach to problem solving; provide excellent interpersonal communication (oral and written), planning, and organizational skills; and attention to detail.
• Develop and deliver technical and qualifications-based presentations to prospective clients to showcase Chambers Group’s qualifications and experience.
• Develop strategies and lead the company panel during the interview/bid process with prospective clients.
• Mentor and support junior biologists including cross-training and providing opportunities for field and project experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Demonstrates strong leadership skills with the ability to work independently and manage internal staff and sub-contractors, and provide exemplary work habits. Demonstrate success in business development, client relationship management, new bookings,  and strong problem-solving skills. Demonstrates excellent organization and communication skills and experience in leading multidisciplinary teams on medium to large-scale projects. Proven ability to maintain strong relationships with clients and agencies/regulators. Strong technical direction and resource management capabilities in support in support of client, project and office objectives. Demonstrates firm understanding of the FESA and CESA, experience in Section 7 and Section 10 documentation and consultation support, USACE preliminary wetland delineation and verification process [post Rapanos with an understanding of the 2023CWA Final Rule], USACE Clean Water Act Section 404 and RWQCB Section 401 Water Quality Certification permitting requirements, CDFW Streambed Alteration Agreement and 2081 Incidental Take Permits, and CEQA and NEPA. Demonstrates strong experience with 10(A)(1)(a) federal permit with an MOU from CDFW for listed species and/or agency approved experience for survey of sensitive species. Positive and enthusiastic leadership style, with a strong commitment to mentoring and training junior staff.

Education and Experience

BS required, approximately 7-10 years of experience in technical discipline required and 4 years of experience in a technical lead and/or demonstrated leadership preferred. Advanced degree preferred. Advanced degree – MS, PhD may be substitute for up to 2 years experience. Professional certifications required.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• ESOP stock plan
• Medical Plans (HMO, PPO), Dental, & Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
• Vacation & Sick Time, Holidays
• 401K
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefit Options

Please reply with your resume and cover letter.

Chambers Group Inc. is an employee-owned company and an equal opportunity employer, and we value inclusion and diversity. EOE-Minorities/Females/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Chambers Group Inc. will make employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner.

Chambers Group, Inc. is an employee-owned environmental consulting firm located in Southern California. Chambers Group provides habitat restoration, environmental planning, regulatory permitting, technical studies for biological and cultural resources, environmental planning and compliance monitoring. We want the best and brightest to join our team – individuals with talent, passion, and commitment who bring new ideas, creativity, and energy. We invite you to visit www.chambersgroupinc.com for more information.