Biologist

Job Description

Job DescriptionHarris’ growing Environmental, Engineering and Consulting Division does industry-leading work in environmental planning and compliance, community planning and housing solutions, engineering design, municipal and district finance, and one water solutions. Harris continues to expand the scope of these services while also building new capabilities in planning, climate change/adaptation, hazard mitigation, resilience, and management consulting. If you are a passionate and motivated professional looking for a collaborative environment at a firm that invests heavily in your growth, you could be a perfect fit for Harris & Associates.

We are hiring for an experienced Mid-level Biologist to join our Environmental Planning and Compliance Group out of our Salinas office. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minimum of six years of work in the field of biological consulting/biological field science. A candidate with a Master’s degree can substitute one year of work. The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and proven record of working collaboratively in a team environment. A test of practical skills may be given to final candidates.

The biologist will be responsible for:

• Independently conducting or leading general biological reconnaissance surveys, habitat assessments, general and focused (including protocol) species surveys, jurisdictional aquatic resources delineations and pre-construction clearance surveys.
• Conducting or leading biological surveys and/or monitoring efforts for various field or construction projects.
• Authoring and/or assisting authoring preparing large, complex natural resources documents such as Biological Resources Technical Reports and other biological or aquatic resources documents and reports.
• Collecting field data appropriately, efficiently, and ethically, and assisting managing field data.
• Following established data collection methodologies and systems and ensuring processes for data QA/QC and ethics of collection are adhered to.
• Managing portions of projects (tasks) or whole projects that include all aspects of biological analyses and being creative in thinking to strategize best approaches for clients.
• Performing work on projects with large-scale field efforts and intensive schedules including compliance projects requiring adherence to permit conditions.
• Provides species expertise and can guide, train, and mentor junior staff.
• Providing high-quality work on time and within budget.

The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and proven record of working collaboratively in a team environment.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree in Biology (a Master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience)
• 6+ years of experience as a professional consulting biologist in Northern California with at least 3 years of experience in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
• Experience conducting focused nesting bird surveys and the ability to identify northern CA and central coast bird species and identify breeding/nesting bird behaviors as well as the knowledge to select appropriate protection buffers during compliance monitoring. Must be able to provide guidance to clients on avoidance of impacts to nesting birds.
• Experience with identification of northern CA and central coast California wildlife and plant species.
• Experience with federal or state listed or otherwise considered sensitive species including focused and protocol surveys for those species and making recommendations to project managers to avoid impacts (i.e., choosing or implementing appropriate mitigation).
• USFWS 10a1A permit with Monterey and/or Santa Cruz County species or show evidence of previous listing as Independent Investigator on another permit.

• Experience with conducting construction monitoring, environmental compliance, and providing education programs to construction personnel. Ability to work collaboratively with construction personnel, environmental compliance manager, and project managers to develop solutions while implementing permit conditions.

• Have an understanding of CEQA, NEPA, resource agency permits, and local MSHCPs concepts and requirements.
• Ability to manage personal workload weekly and communicate with supervisors, project managers and other management staff.
• Ability to hike long distances over varying terrain under varying weather conditions.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Data management experience, including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with restoration biology or ecology.
• Experience communicating, coordinating, consulting with resource agency staff.
• Working knowledge of natural resources regulations and permitting.
• Interest in the mentoring and career development of junior staff.
• Proficient use of Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Google Earth, and other related software.
• Experience with Survey 123, GPS units/software, ArcGIS, Arc GIS, Fieldmaps and/or sub-meter field data collection.
• Must have access to a reliable vehicle and a valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record.
• Proficient use of Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Google Earth, and other related software.

Work Environment
The biologist must be capable of working in temperature extremes for long hours and be able to handle strenuous physical activity and conditions (i.e., hiking for hours a day while carrying equipment).
Compensation & Benefits
The annual salary range offered for this position is $75-100K. Actual pay offered will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.

In addition to base salary, we also offer:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• ESOP
• 401K Match
• PTO, 8 Paid Holidays + "1 WorkAversary" paid holiday to celebrate you!
• Health & Well-Being Allowance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible hybrid/remote work plans
• Paid Leave Programs such as maternity, parentally, and family medical leave

Harris & Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability) and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Harris expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

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