Natural Resources Biologist - AECOM

Company Description

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Job Description

AECOM

is actively seeking a full-time

Natural Resources Biologist

for immediate employment within our Southern California Natural Resources Group

AECOM is proud to provide our employees with exciting, challenging projects and career opportunities in a dynamic and flexible working environment

This hybrid position is primarily office-based, though some field work may be required and can be based in San Luis Obispo, Orange or Los Angeles, CA offices

This position would support numerous natural resource projects in the southern and central California region with a focus on leading preparation of Biological Assessments, Habitat Conservation Plans, technical reports, and other regulatory compliance and permitting efforts including CEQA/NEPA, 404/401, CESA, and ESA resource agency consultation

Primary duties include authoring on complex technical documents for large-scale projects, developing permitting strategies for clients, synthesizing compiled datasets, collaborating with a large team of technical experts, and task management

The ideal candidate has a strong technical background and advanced writing skills and is interested in moving towards a Project Management trajectory

Familiarity with Sections 7 and 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act, 2081 permitting under the California Endangered Species Act, NEPA, CEQA, and the Clean Water Act are required

A 10(A)(1)(a) permit for listed species local to southern California is preferred (but not required), including species such as coastal California gnatcatcher, desert tortoise, and/or southwestern willow flycatcher amongst others

Additional duties may include financial management tasks and team coordination/leadership

Position will support multiple project managers on a variety of types of projects including utility, military, transportation, and renewable energy sectors

The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to, those listed below:

+ Conduct writing assignments, including completing Biological Technical Reports, Mitigation and Monitoring Plans, Natural Environment Studies, Biological Assessments, and/or EIR/EIS sections

+ Operate as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects

+ Possess knowledge of major state and federal agencies (e.g., USACE, USFWS, BLM, CDFW, RWQCB, and CCC) and major regulatory frameworks (e.g., NEPA, CEQA, ESA, CESA, CFGC, CWA and CCA as well as knowledge of regional conservation planning (i.e., MSCP, MHCP, MSHCP) and apply to assigned tasks

+ Support proposal efforts

+ Work under supervision of senior project managers or senior-level team members

+ Ability to independently manage projects or tasks and/or oversee project teams

+ Ensure assigned tasks stay on schedule and budget

+ The ability to work independently and as part of a team; be innovative and a problem solver

+ Perform assignments that require background in wildlife ecology and/or botany and ecological processes

+ Conduct biological survey fieldwork as part of a team and alone in coastal, inland, and desert environments

+ Identify and record native and non-native fauna and/or flora in the field

+ Utilize electronic data collection methods and manage data, as needed

+ Mentor other AECOM junior staff with technical writing and project/task management

About AECOM’s Environment Business Line

Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world

AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it

We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative

AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery

We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues

Our global clients and their projects are diverse and interesting

They span market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems within diverse community profiles

AECOM’s Sustainable Legacies program describes our approach to the environment, social equity and governance (ESG.) We embed sustainability throughout our business and help clients embed sustainable practices into their work

We help clients reduce their impact on the environment, achieve compliance and reduce risks

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

+ Bachelor’s Degree in related field (biology, ecology, project management/controls, etc.) + 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in natural resources project management with strong technical writing and policy/permitting experience

+ Occasional travel may be required

+ Valid driver license required and must be able to safely drive to job sites

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Master’s Degree in related field (biology, ecology, or project management/controls) + 6+ years of experience in natural resources project management

+ Be in (or willingness to relocate to) the southern California area to serve clients throughout the region

+ Experience managing small and large-scale multi-disciplinary environmental projects, involving planning, permitting, compliance, and pre- and post-construction phases

+ Strong leadership and diplomacy skills

+ Thrives independently and as part of a team

+ Demonstrated successful marketing/business development experience

+ Experience with blue carbon/carbon sequestration quantification

+ Strong technical writing skills on environmental technical documents supporting project coverage under the ESA, CESA, CWA, NEPA, CEQA, etc

+ Strong organizational skills and proactive communicator

+ Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects as needed

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Ability to create and maintain tracking spreadsheets and documents

Additional Information

+ Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required

Offered compensation will be based on location and individual qualifications

The expected range is $85,000.00 - $100,000.00

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees

Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management

On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges

Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities

AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023

See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options

Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families

We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines

ReqID:

J10118824

Business Line:

Environment

Business Group:

DCS

Strategic Business Unit:

West

Career Area:

Science

Work Location Model:

Hybrid

Legal Entity:

AECOM Technical Services Inc