Critical Biologist, Senior

Position: Critical Areas Biologist, Senior
The City of Tacoma, Planning and Development Services Department is looking for an experienced, customer-service driven Critical Areas Biologist, Senior to join our Natural Resources Team. This is a critical role in the protection of Tacoma's environment by guiding the public and development community through compliant permitting processes, upholding environmental codes, and strengthening community awareness through outreach. The job classification of Critical Areas Biologist, Senior is classified and represented by WSCCCE Local 120.

If you are passionate about integrating science-based decision-making into land use, join our dedicated team!

Essential Duties:

* Conducts advanced review of complex critical area and shoreline development proposals, including wetlands, streams, marine waters, geologically hazardous areas, biodiversity corridors and associated buffers

* Evaluates and verifies consultant-prepared biological assessments, mitigation plans, functional analyses, monitoring reports and no-net-loss determinations

* Serves as a lead technical authority for interpretation of applicable environmental and land use ordinances, regulations and related programs for complex, controversial, or large-scale projects

* Leads resolution of difficult regulatory issues and coordinates with the City Attorney on defensibility and legal risk

* Develops technical recommendations incorporated into permit conditions, decision documents and staff reports

* Supports updates to city programs and related regulations including ordinances and by providing best available science, research on evolving ecological standards and alignment with federal, state and local regulations

* Develops technical guidance documents, standard operating procedures and internal review standards to ensure consistent implementation

* Provides mentorship, training, and technical review for biologists and planners

* Coordinates citywide and with departments such as, Public Works, Environmental Services, as well as state agencies, tribal partners and other stakeholders on shoreline, habitat and mitigation strategy issues

* Conducts field inspections and verification of delineations, buffer conditions and post-construction mitigation monitoring

* May present technical findings at public meetings, Planning Commission hearings or other decision-making bodies

Minimum Education

A Bachelor's degree in environmental science, natural resources, ecology, biology or directly related field

Minimum Experience

4 years or professional-level experience in environmental science or natural resources compliance, planning or mitigation

Licensing, Certifications, and Other Requirements

* Valid Washington State Driver License at time of application with maintenance thereafter

* A Professional Wetland Scientist Certification is desired

The Department

The mission of Tacoma's Planning and Development Services Department (PDS) is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable, and safe city by providing strategic, timely, predictable, and cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

* We are a collaborative team of professionals, focused on building a safe, livable, and sustainable city.

* We are dedicated to continuous improvement.

* We provide pathways to advancement.

* We are dedicated to providing equitable services.

Knowledge of:

* Advanced wetland science, habitat ecology, and shoreline processes

* Mitigation sequencing, ecological function assessment, and no-net-loss principles

* Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations

* Environmental report review standards and best available science

* Regulatory defensibility and quasi-judicial procedures

Skills in:

* Interpreting and applying complex environmental regulations

* Evaluating biological reports and mitigation plans

* Providing defensible technical recommendations

* Mentoring and training professional staff

* Communicating complex scientific information to technical and not-technical audiences

City of Tacoma's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many…