Technical Director - Biological Resources

Job Description

There’s no pledge more important than the one we make to look after our environment, and we’re committed to helping you do exactly that. Join us as we strive to ensure a sustainable future for our communities and the world we live in.

Become part of our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, auditors, planners and environmental specialists, all working together to leave this world better than we found it.

GHD is looking for a Technical Director – Biological Resources in any of the following California offices:
San Diego, Irvine, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Oakland, Concord, Sacramento, or Santa Rosa. The ideal candidate must be recognized as an industry leader and have significant experience in wildlife biology, botany and/or wetland science; business development; contributing to growth of practice areas; overseeing the environmental review process; and winning and leading projects of importance.

Our Natural Resources & Impact Assessment Group provides environmental impact documentation and permitting services for a broad range of interesting clients and projects, working across multiple geographies throughout California and the Pacific. Our work extends across a diverse range of market sectors, including transportation (ports, road, rail, and transit), utilities, local development, energy, mining, and coastal restoration.

Our 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.

• Lead teams of wildlife biologists, botanists and wetland scientists to complete field studies, develop related reports, Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Assessments, natural environmental, and other complex biological reports.
• Coordinate with engineers and other environmental professionals to develop California Environmental Quality Act / National Environmental Policy Act documentation and pursue regulatory approvals.
• Ensure that business activities and individuals (e.g., employees, contractors, and visitors) within the area of responsibility adhere to the organization’s health, safety, and environment policies, procedures, and mandatory instructions, to safeguard the environment, protect the well‑being of individuals and minimize business risk.
• Manage a portfolio of major projects in line with overall project management strategy.
• Manage key client and customer relationships. Likely to involve using account teams to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization’s formal development framework within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization’s talent pool.
• Develop and propose own performance objectives; take appropriate actions to ensure achievement of agreed objectives, using the organization’s performance management systems to improve personal performance. Or manage and report on team performance; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project/account team members and hold people accountable for achieving them, taking appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team/personal objectives.
• Develop innovative solutions by integrating and analyzing complex and diverse information sources.
• Gather information and resources and draft and complete proposals in response to the most‑complex bid solicitations, request for proposal, and request for tender to create the best chance of being awarded the contract. May lead a team to develop tenders/proposals and fulfill all process requirements (in terms of deadlines, documentation, etc.) in response to bid solicitations, request for proposal, and request for tender.
• Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team and beyond in the function. Maintain external accreditations and in‑depth understanding of current…