Mid-Level MSHCP Biologist

Dudek•, CA

4d•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Dudek is seeking an experienced mid-level Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Lead Reviewer to support implementation of the MSHCP. In this role, working as part of Dudek’s dedicated MSHCP implementation team, you will help balance regional growth, infrastructure improvements, and conservation goals while contributing to the successful implementation of one of the nation's largest and most complex habitat conservation programs. The successful candidate will play a key role in reviewing development, infrastructure, conservation, and public agency projects for consistency with MSHCP requirements and conservation objectives; evaluating biological and environmental documentation; coordinating with project applicants, Permittees, the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), and Wildlife Agencies (California Department of Fish and Wildlife and United States Fish and Wildlife Service); and preparing MSHCP findings that support efficient, consistent, and defensible compliance determinations. The position operates independently on assigned reviews and serves as a task lead for review assignments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in biological resources consulting, environmental planning, natural resources management, regulatory compliance, or a related field.
Familiarity with the Western Riverside County MSHCP.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Exercises good judgment and sound decision-making skills.
Ability to work effectively with public agencies, consultants, clients, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and GIS mapping products.
Must possess a valid driver's license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
Familiarity with state and federal regulations related to biological resources, including the federal Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, California Fish and Game Code, Clean Water Act, and CEQA.
Experience coordinating directly with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, local jurisdictions, transportation agencies, and conservation organizations.
Experience reviewing or preparing MSHCP Consistency Analyses, DBESP reports, habitat mitigation and monitoring plans (HMMPs), and biological resource technical reports.
Ability to analyze complex technical information and apply regulatory requirements in a consistent and defensible manner

Responsibilities

Review projects subject to the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), including Joint Project Reviews (JPRs), JPR Amendment reviews, Participating Special Entity (PSE) applications, Criteria Refinements, and other MSHCP implementation activities.
Serve as support for task lead for assigned review efforts, coordinating technical review activities, schedules, and deliverables while communicating status and issues to project managers and senior reviewers.
Review development proposals, infrastructure projects, public works projects, and conservation projects for consistency with MSHCP requirements, including but not limited to survey requirements and conservation objectives.
Review applicable MSHCP supporting documentation including but not limited to biological technical reports, habitat assessments, focused species surveys, aquatic resource delineations, MSHCP consistency analyses, Determinations of Biologically Equivalent or Superior Preservation (DBESP), GIS analyses, and supporting documentation.
Conduct compliance reviews related to but not limited to reserve assembly, rough step analyses, riparian/riverine resources, vernal pool resources, narrow endemic plant species, additional survey needs and procedures, and Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines, and facilities within the Criteria Area.
Prepare technical comments, findings documents, correspondence, and review memoranda supporting MSHCP consistency determinations.
Coordinate directly with project applicants, consultants, participating Permittees, the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), and Wildlife Agencies (California Department of Fish and Wildlife and United States Fish and Wildlife Service), developing productive working relationships and serving as a consistent point of contact during review processes.
Attending all necessary meetings and taking notes or gathering information for the team.
Maintain project tracking and administrative records, update logs, and track associated documentation consistent with established RCA procedures and timelines.
Collaborate with GIS analysts, restoration specialists, species experts, planners, and regulatory specialists to support defensible and consistent compliance review determinations.
Contributes to the improvement of review templates, implementation procedures, technical guidance documents, and training materials.
Manage multiple concurrent review assignments while maintaining technical quality, responsiveness, and customer service.