On Call Lead Marine Biologist

WSP • San Diego, CA

42d • $46 - $68

About The Position

This role leads the delivery of complex marine biology projects by integrating deep technical expertise with a strategic understanding of marine ecosystems and regulatory environments. It provides advanced scientific input for environmental assessments, monitoring programs, and restoration initiatives, while also guiding the work of project teams to ensure technical excellence and consistency across deliverables. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and mentoring staff, this role supports the expansion of WSP's marine biology capabilities, contributing to scientific innovation, project success, and the advancement of environmental sustainability goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology, Biology, or a closely related discipline, or demonstrated proven equivalent experience.
• 7-10 years of relevant post-education experience in marine biology or related areas.
• Proven expertise in marine ecological principles, habitat function, species distribution, and environmental impact pathways.
• Extensive experience designing and executing marine field studies in estuarine, coastal, and offshore environments.
• Advanced proficiency in ecological data analysis and interpretation using statistical, spatial, and temporal tools.
• Experience preparing and reviewing high-level environmental documents in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Strong knowledge of permitting processes under NEPA, ESA, MMPA, EFH, and CWA.
• Demonstrated ability to lead field teams, oversee complex field logistics, and ensure quality and safety.
• Technical leadership skills in mentoring, quality control, and fostering staff development.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, including experience in reviewing and editing complex documents for publication or submission.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, QGIS, and other geospatial tools for analyzing and presenting marine data.
• Experience with agency coordination, stakeholder engagement, and client communication.
• Familiarity with species-specific survey protocols and decision support tools used in regulatory contexts.
• Strong organizational skills to manage project schedules, staff assignments, and deliverable tracking.
• Ability to develop and implement innovative methods for assessing marine ecological impacts and restoration potential.
• Skilled at synthesizing interdisciplinary input from environmental, engineering, and planning perspectives.
• Experience applying adaptive management approaches to ecological monitoring and mitigation.
• Familiarity with climate change impacts on marine systems and integration into technical evaluations.
• Ability to travel and lead extended field deployments, often in remote or offshore conditions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities under tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• American Academy of Underwater Sciences Certification

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of multi-faceted marine biology investigations for regulatory, restoration, and conservation projects.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of marine biological data, including benthic surveys, fish and invertebrate sampling, and marine mammal monitoring.
• Develop customized technical approaches to address novel project requirements, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory standards.
• Translate complex ecological data into scientifically defensible findings that inform environmental decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• Author and review detailed environmental documents, including biological assessments, environmental impact statements, and permit applications.
• Serve as a lead technical reviewer for marine biology deliverables, ensuring high standards of accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Provide advanced scientific insight on species and habitat impacts to inform project siting, design, and mitigation strategies.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff in marine biology techniques, data analysis, regulatory context, and technical writing.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies on protected species consultations and marine habitat assessments.
• Support environmental permitting processes under NEPA, ESA, MMPA, EFH, and CWA.
• Apply spatial and temporal analyses to identify trends in marine ecosystems, using GIS and remote sensing platforms.
• Lead field teams and oversee complex mobilizations, ensuring health and safety compliance, logistical efficiency, and data integrity.
• Collaborate with engineering, planning, climate science, and water resource teams to integrate marine biology into cross-functional projects.
• Contribute to the development of proposals, scopes of work, and budgets by defining methodologies and estimating technical effort.
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts related to marine ecology, including presentations to community groups, agencies, and clients
• Develop innovative tools and methods for biological data acquisition and interpretation, such as eDNA analysis or advanced survey platforms.
• Participate in post-project evaluations to inform continuous improvement in marine biology practices and team performance.
• Stay current on scientific literature, regulatory changes, and emerging marine research relevant to WSP's portfolio.
• Support the expansion of WSP's marine science practice by identifying new business opportunities and assisting with client strategy.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and technical curiosity within the marine biology team.
• Ensure projects are executed in alignment with WSP's quality management and ethical conduct expectations.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

• WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees