Field Biologists; Coast

Position: As-Needed Field Biologists (Central Coast)
** About Us*
* We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems

As a people-centric organization we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent  
** Great Place To Work® ()
** certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

** About

The Role *
* We are seeking Field Biologists to provide as-needed support for projects spanning the Central Coast,  
** from San Luis Obispo to Ventura counties** . This is an excellent opportunity for both early-career and experienced biological consultants (2-10+ years) with strong field expertise in Central Coast ecosystems.

We welcome candidates at all levels of experience and will adjust responsibilities, project complexity, and compensation accordingly.

** What You'll Do*
* Responsibilities will vary based on experience level, regulatory approvals, and area of expertise:

+ Conduct site assessments, surveys, and habitat evaluations for common and special-status plant and wildlife species and map vegetation communities.

+ Perform biological monitoring and provide compliance support during construction activities, prepare compliance monitoring reports.

+ Identify plant species using a dichotomous key, focusing on Central Coast botany.

+ Map vegetation communities using standard mapping practices and identify sensitive vegetation communities.

+ Survey, monitor, and assess habitats for special-status species, including but not limited to the following:

+ ​​​​California red-legged frog

+ Foothill yellow-legged frog

+ California tiger salamander

+ Western spadefoot

+ Northwestern and southwestern pond turtles

+ San Francisco garter snake

+ Coho salmon

+ Steelhead

+ Tidewater goby

+ California least tern

+ Western snowy plover

+ Least Bell's vireo

+ White-tailed kite

+ Northern harrier

+ Burrowing owl

+ Vernal pool branchiopods

+ Monarch butterfly

+ Smith's blue butterfly

+ Crotch's bumble bee

+ Regionally occurring special-status plants

+ Prepare preconstruction survey reports and other technical documentation.

+ Track compliance with mitigation measures and permit conditions, maintaining accurate field reports and monitoring logs.

+ Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide additional support to the Natural Resources Team as needed.

+ Work independently or as a project/task lead depending on experience.

+ Wetland delineation and regulatory permitting experience is a plus.

+ Drive Rincon and personal vehicles across a variety of road conditions, including highways, rural roads, and off-road within project sites.

** What You'll Bring*
* + Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.

+ 2+ years of biological fieldwork

+ Expertise in Central Coast ecosystems, including experience with compliance monitoring, habitat assessments, vegetation monitoring, and species-specific surveys.

+ Demonstrated experience with the species listed above, including surveying and monitoring in occupied habitats and securing project approvals.

+ Familiarity with federal and state environmental laws, including but not limited to federal and state Endangered Species Acts (ESA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as well as incidental take permits, Clean Water Act (CWA) permits, Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, regulatory compliance oversight, and development/implementation of mitigation measures.

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong technical writing experience preparing field reports, monitoring logs, and preconstruction survey documentation.

+ Willingness and flexibility to work extended hours (10-12+ hour days) as project needs…