Overview As a Senior Biologist at Stantec, you will lead field and office work within the Southern California Ecosystems Group, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams on siting, licensing, and permitting for energy, transportation, and development projects. You will shape regulatory strategy, CEQA/NEPA analyses, and technical reports, contributing to impactful restoration and conservation efforts. The role blends field surveys, regulatory engagement, and project management in a dynamic, cross-functional environment. You'll work closely with clients, regulators, and internal experts to deliver high-quality environmental outcomes at scale. This is an opportunity to apply deep southern California biology,
Compensation / Benefits- medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) plan and employee stock purchase program
- paid holidays and vacation/sick leave
- tuition reimbursement
- professional membership fee coverage
- flexible spending accounts
Responsibilities- Manage projects and supervise staff across renewable energy, oil/gas, and development projects
- Lead field tasks such as special-status species surveys, nesting bird surveys, vegetation mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations, and monitoring
- Mentor junior staff and provide coaching and training recommendations
- Plan, prepare, and review technical reports and environmental assessment sections
- Support business development, respond to RFPs, define scope and cost, and contribute to proposals
- Coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate survey results and reports
- Lead development of permitting strategies and agency negotiations
- Assist teams in pursuing new business opportunities and compelling technical proposals
- Maintain 75-80% direct project utilization
- Travel occasionally domestically
- Coordinate with cross-disciplinary teams for regulatory compliance and reporting
Key requirements- Bachelor in Biological Sciences or related field with minimum 10 years' experience
- Strong background in botanical, wetland, or wildlife biology and regulatory permitting
- Proven project management experience and ability to deliver high-quality multi-disciplinary work
- Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills
- Business development capability and client/regulator relationship experience
- Experience with flora/fauna surveys in Southern California; familiarity with other CA regions a plus
- Knowledge of major regulatory frameworks (CEQA/NEPA, FESA/CESA, MBTA/BGEPA, CWA, Porter-Cologne, FGC, WRMSHCP) and permitting processes
- Experience preparing regulatory permit applications (e.g., CWA 404/401, ITPs) and environmental documents
- USFWS-approved biologist or CDFW DB experience a plus
- Proficiency with GPS/GIS for field data collection and mapping
- Ability to travel and valid driver's license
- May require medical/drug screening and OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification in some projects
- BS degree (MS preferred) in Biological Sciences or related field with 10+ years of experience
- Excellent communication
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Team leadership and mentorship
- Biological resources surveys
- CEQA/NEPA analysis
- Regulatory permitting (CWA, BMS, ITPs)
