Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs’ Bellevue office is seeking a Senior Biologist & Permitting Specialist who can provide leadership and support for public and private sector infrastructure projects throughout WA and OR. We see our job as more than environmental consulting – we are helping our clients secure our world’s natural resources. Bring your passion and expertise to our dynamic interdisciplinary team of biologists, environmental planners, cultural resources experts, geomorphologists and stream restoration engineers.

Together, we deliver transformative infrastructure projects in the region, from fish passage projects to wetland and stream mitigation, sustainability initiatives and more.

This is your opportunity to act as a technical support resource specialist in wetland ecology, mitigation, biology, regulatory compliance, NEPA documentation, and other federal, state and local permitting.

• Collaboration with multi‑disciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, planners and other professionals to assemble regulatory‑compliant environmental plans, reports and permits at the local, state (JARPA, Oregon Removal/Fill Joint Application, mitigation plans) and federal (Clean Water Act Sections 10, 404, 401 and Coastal Use Permits) levels.
• Leading fieldwork efforts (aquatic resource, habitat and vegetation surveys) in WA and OR (and potentially  MT) following state and federal protocols.
• Assisting with preparation of environmental documents for compliance with NEPA, including environmental resource reports, Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
• Supporting proposal preparation, client maintenance and business development activities.
• Preparing scopes of work and estimating level of effort for task completion.
• Acting as a biology or permitting project manager and/or task lead on projects.
• Maintaining excellent communication with clients, regulatory agencies, local government officials, employees and subcontractors.
• Providing management support and fostering the career growth of junior‑level environmental staff.

• BS or MS in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related scientific discipline or technical field.
• 10+ years of environmental consulting or agency experience emphasizing aquatic resource delineations, endangered species act compliance, fish surveys and recovery, and/or permitting experience.
• Knowledge of state (WA and OR) and federal permitting programs such as the Clean Water Act and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404/401 wetland permitting process.
• Ability to lead aquatic resource surveys, requiring strong knowledge of PNW vegetation, soils, wetland community types and stream characteristics.
• Experience utilizing handheld GPS equipment and software is highly desired.
• Experience preparing for and participating in meetings with stakeholders.
• Project management or environmental task lead experience.
• Demonstrated team‑building and mentoring ability.
• Ability to succeed in a consulting environment, handling multiple project assignments, meeting strict deadlines and traveling to client facilities as needed.

• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions across the western states and availability for occasional travel.
• Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist from the Society of Wetland Scientists.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills (client, regulatory official, community, subcontractor).
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed for project assignment.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs…