Mid-Level Biologist - San Diego

Dudek•San Diego, CA

6d•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies. Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations , and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards. Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. Learn more about our award-winning culture , the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. Who You Are As an employee-owner , you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently. Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented , with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation . How You’ll Make an Impact Dudek is currently seeking a full-time experienced Biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will help grow Dudek’s biological resources practice locally in the San Diego region; manage and implement a wide variety of projects involving sensitive biological resources, including botanical surveys, wildlife surveys, and aquatic resource delineations; and work collaboratively with other Dudek staff based out of our southern and northern California offices. This position will be a mix of technical writing, project management, and field-based work out of Southern California, with a focus in San Diego.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
A minimum of 8 years of experience in biological resource consulting (or equivalent experience in a regulatory agency setting) with increasing levels of responsibility.
Proven experience managing biological tasks or projects, including client communication, deliverable oversight, and team coordination.
Knowledge and understanding of special-status plant species, vegetation communities, and sensitive vegetation resources that occur in the San Diego region and broader Southern California.
Knowledge of state and federal statutes, regulations, and permitting requirements relating to biological resources, in particular, the federal Clean Water Act, state and federal Endangered Species Acts, California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Willingness to travel for work, including overnight stays in hotels.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
Demonstrated experience with management of projects involving biological impact analyses, special-status species, and mitigation planning, particularly experienced in the regulatory environment of San Diego County and the City of San Diego.
Knowledge and understanding of field and data analysis techniques used to map and assess wetland and water features potentially jurisdictional under the federal Clean Water Act, California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code.
Knowledge of California aquatic resource types and systems.
Proficient in wildlife identification and impact evaluation skills throughout California.
Strong customer service emphasis and solution-oriented project delivery approach.
Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
Exercises good judgment and sound decision-making skills.
Familiarity with using a handheld GPS unit (e.g. Garmin or similar) and experience using advanced software and mapping tools such as ESRI FieldMaps, Survey123, and Collector.
Possess or actively pursuing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 10(a)(1)(A) recovery survey permits and/or California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Scientific Collecting Permits (SCPs) for regionally relevant species including, but not limited to, coastal California gnatcatcher, Quino checkerspot butterfly, southwestern willow flycatcher, burrowing owl, and Crotch’s bumblebee.
Possess or actively pursuing a CDFW Plant Voucher Collecting Permit to collect voucher specimens of state‑listed rare, threatened, endangered, or candidate plant species.

Responsibilities

Lead collection of detailed field data, work in remote field locations, hike steep slopes over uneven terrain, and work full days in all types of weather, including but not limited to the following tasks:
Lead aquatic resource delineations.
Identify California flora to species and subspecies or variety.
Lead field surveys for rare, threatened, and endangered plants and wildlife.
Lead vegetation surveys, invasive plant surveys, and habitat assessments.
Manage small-to-mid scale biological resource projects and biological tasks on larger multidisciplinary projects, including scheduling, budgeting, client coordination, and quality control.
Prepare and oversee preparation of reports summarizing methodology, field survey results and recommendations.
Prepare and oversee preparation of Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports.
Prepare and oversee preparation of documents supporting environmental permit applications and CEQA/NEPA biological evaluations.
Serve as a mentor to junior to lower mid-level staff and assist in building proficiency of technical skills.
Ability to work as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks on time and within budget.