LSA is seeking a Senior Biologist and Regulatory Permitting Specialist to support and help grow our environmental practice in California's Central Valley. The successful candidate will combine strong biological and regulatory expertise with a practical understanding of environmental consulting, client service, and the steps necessary to move complex projects successfully through environmental review and permitting.
This position requires extensive knowledge of Central Valley plant and wildlife species, sensitive habitats, and applicable federal and State environmental regulations. The ideal candidate will be an experienced consultant who can develop permitting strategies, prepare technically sound documents, coordinate effectively with regulatory agencies, manage schedules and budgets, mentor junior staff, and communicate clearly with clients, project managers, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Primary Responsibilities- Lead biological resource assessments, field surveys, impact analyses, and preparation of related technical reports.
- Identify potential effects on special-status species, sensitive natural communities, wetlands, and other aquatic resources.
- Develop practical and defensible avoidance, minimization, mitigation, monitoring, and compliance measures.
- Prepare, manage, and obtain regulatory permits and approvals from agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and California State Lands Commission.
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable permitting requirements and processes, including:
- California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements;
- Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404;
- Rivers and Harbors Act Section 408 permissions;
- Central Valley Flood Protection Board encroachment permits;
- California State Lands Commission leases and approvals;
- Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation; and
- Other applicable federal and State biological resource requirements.
- Prepare and manage permit applications and supporting materials through systems such as the Environmental Permit Information Management System (EPIMS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Request System (RSS).
- Coordinate with clients, engineers, environmental planners, regulatory agencies, and other technical specialists to resolve issues and maintain Project schedules.
- Support environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including preparation and review of biological resource sections and supporting technical documentation.
- Manage multiple projects, including scopes of work, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and quality-control reviews.
- Provide clients with clear, responsive, and solution-oriented guidance regarding environmental constraints, regulatory requirements, and permitting strategies.
- Mentor and oversee junior biologists and permitting staff, including providing technical direction, reviewing work products, and supporting professional development.
- Assist with proposal preparation, client development, and efforts to expand the firm's biological resources and regulatory permitting practice in the Central Valley.
Qualifications- Bachelor's or advanced degree in biology, botany, ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Central Valley plant and wildlife species, including special-status species and sensitive habitats.
- Substantial experience preparing and processing environmental permit applications and coordinating with federal, State, and regional regulatory agencies.
- Strong understanding of CEQA, NEPA, the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and related biological resource requirements.
- Experience with Section 7 consultation and preparation or review of biological assessments and supporting documentation.
- Excellent technical writing, editing, organization, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to understand client objectives and develop practical strategies that move projects forward while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing project scopes, schedules, budgets, staff assignments, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to mentor junior staff and provide clear technical guidance and quality-control review.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within established schedules and budgets.
- Valid California driver's license and ability to travel to project sites and agency meetings throughout the Central Valley, as needed.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree in a related field.
- Relevant professional certifications or permits
- Established relationships with Central Valley clients and regulatory agency staff.
- At least five years of experience supporting water infrastructure, flood-control, transportation, agricultural, restoration, and/or public works projects.
- Experience conducting wetland delineations, special-status species surveys, construction monitoring, and permit compliance.
- Business development and proposal preparation experience.
CompensationThe salary range for this position is $94,000 to $138,000 per year. The compensation offer will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.
LSA offers competitive pay, and for all eligible employees medical, dental, vision, long term disability, group life/AD&D insurance plans; vacation, sick, and holiday pay; an Employee Stock Ownership Plan; and a Profit Sharing and Savings Plan with 401k safe harbor match.
For more details about our employee benefits package please visit our Careers Page on our company website.
