Associate Biologist​/Botanist

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work critical to our clients and the communities they support.

Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 5 years of experience to join our southern California Ecosystems Group by operating out of our San Bernardino, California office. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in Southern California and elsewhere. Biologists with strong botanical survey, habitat mapping, and vegetation sampling skills are a plus.

As an Associate Biologist with Stantec, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists, ecologists, water resource specialists, and land planning and regulatory experts. This position will include opportunities for both field and office work; it may also involve field work during construction of projects and implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. You will be relied upon to lead and mentor field teams on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects for diverse clientele and business sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas projects, electric and gas transmission projects, transportation projects, community development projects, and projects for other public and private sector clients.

As an Associate Biologist, you will:

• Lead and mentor project field teams and provide support to project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects.
• Schedule, assist, and/or lead teams for field tasks, such as special‑status species surveys, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide guidance to junior staff, including training recommendations, coaching, and mentoring.
• Plan, prepare, and review technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments.
• Work with business development teams to contribute to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), defining scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents.
• Assist teams in pursuing and contributing to new business opportunities and effective technical proposals.
• May contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.
• Under the supervision of senior staff: coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of various survey efforts and technical reports.
• Assist with development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations.
• Maintain a target 80‑85% direct project utilization goal.
• Conduct overnight travel within and outside of southern California.

You are a biologist or natural resources management specialist; at minimum hold a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field, and have a minimum of 5 years of related experience demonstrating increasing responsibility in conducting biological resources surveys and preparing technical reports. Desired skills include:

• Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi-disciplinary project and field teams.
• Proficient in health and safety policies and procedures, including client‑specific training and leading by example.
• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Demonstrable background with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of southern California.
• Experience conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species‑specific protocol surveys.
• Experience with or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow…