Habitat Restoration Specialist​/Landscape Architect - SoCal

Habitat Restoration Specialist/Landscape Architect – Southern California

Join Dudek, an employee‑owned firm serving Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies, as a full‑time Habitat Restoration Specialist (III–IV). This hybrid/remote position offers career growth and the chance to contribute to ecological restoration projects across Pasadena, Mission Viejo, Riverside, and San Diego.

Location(s):
Pasadena / Mission Viejo / Riverside / San Diego (Hybrid/Remote)

Compensation: $85,000 – $145,000 annual*

* Final agreed‑upon compensation based on experience, education, certifications, and work location.

• Lead the development of written conceptual design plans and construction documents for habitat restoration and open‑space design projects, including native revegetation, passive recreation, and trails.
• Perform construction observations, prepare punch‑list field reports, and conduct monitoring of long‑term restoration projects.
• Prepare technical reports, site assessments, and annual monitoring reports.
• Produce construction drawings (site prep, grading, planting, irrigation) using AutoCAD.
• Assist with mitigation, revegetation, and passive recreation projects; conduct preliminary desktop GIS analysis.
• Coordinate permitting, collaborate with biologists, ecologists, landscape architects, and engineers, and interpret habitat assessments and vegetation mapping.
• Manage project workflow, budgets, sub‑consultant coordination, scope drafting, and business‑development opportunities.

• B.A. or B.S. in Restoration Ecology, Environmental Science, Earth System Science, Biology, Landscape Architecture, or a related field with strong ecological background.
• 8+ years of experience in habitat restoration planning and implementation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Able to conduct strenuous field work in hot weather (over 100 °F) and steep terrain.
• Valid driver’s license and active automobile liability insurance (California). Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment.
• Self‑motivated, creative problem solver who can work independently and in a team environment.

• MLA in Landscape Architecture or related design field and professional landscape architecture license.
• Business‑development experience and ability to lead project development.
• QA/QC technical review of conceptual design plans and construction documents.
• Experience coordinating with resource agency mitigation projects.
• In‑depth knowledge of local ecology, plant communities, hydrology, soils, and native/non‑native species.
• Fluency in restoration concepts and ecological processes.
• Experience with mitigation banking and/or In‑Lieu Fee programs.
• Strong technical writing skills.

• Remote or office‑based; required use of standard office equipment.
• Occasional on‑site visits; may involve outdoor work in extreme weather and uneven terrain.
• Typical work involves computer tasks, meetings (virtual and in‑person), and field data collection.

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success and are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, recall, and termination.

Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.‑based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.