Lead, Senior, or Principal Biologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead, Senior or Principal Biologist with experience in natural resource management and biological studies for our Half Moon Bay, CA office. We are looking for a candidate who is looking to develop or continue a long-term consulting career that combines high‑level technical expertise, business acumen, and the potential for leadership. Responsibilities may include project management, business development, natural resource planning, leading surveys, and staff coordination.

An important aspect of the work will involve staff mentorship and technical review of reports.

This position is a regular, full‑time, salaried position and can be worked in a hybrid or remote capacity. Pay rate will be competitive, based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team‑oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP).

We are considering candidates for the following levels:

• Lead Biologist – Typically with at least eight (8) years of relevant experience and expertise
• Senior Biologist – Typically with at least ten (10) years of relevant experience and expertise
• Principal Biologist – Typically with at least twelve (12) years of relevant experience and expertise

Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once suitable individuals are identified, we may close the application process without prior notice.

Job responsibilities for Senior/Principal levels involve leading more complex, larger, and potentially multidisciplinary projects and pursuits.

• Serve as project manager or technical lead on a variety of biological resource projects.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are addressed.
• Coordinate and/or lead biological survey and reporting efforts, including jurisdictional waters permitting.
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, and engineers on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Develop innovative approaches to resource assessment that meet client needs and can withstand agency and public scrutiny.
• Drive compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required;
  Master’s degree highly desired.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in biological surveys and resource management in either the public or private sector.
• Experience working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists.
• Experience managing subcontractors and ensuring technical excellence.
• Experience writing technical reports.
• Ability to promote SWCA services internally and externally.
• Strong wildlife and/ or plant identification skills; familiarity with the federal and state Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, state and federal jurisdictional waters permitting and strategy, and excellent writing skills.
• Ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and ensure tasks are completed effectively.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks effectively. Willingness to learn and grow into increased project‑management and supervisory responsibilities.

An employee in this Half Moon Bay, CA–based position can expect a salary of $97,344 to $127,196 per year for the Lead Biologist role, $111,621 to $145,367 per year for the Senior Biologist role, and $127,196 to $166,133 per year for the Principal Biologist role. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements, and other factors permitted by law.

Regular‑status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates…