Principal Natural Resources Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Half Moon Bay, CA

1d•$127,196 - $166,134•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a full-time, regular, salaried/exempt Principal Natural Resources Team Lead for its Natural Resources Program, based in the Half Moon Bay, California office. The role is hybrid and provides strategic, technical, and operational direction for multidisciplinary natural resources projects throughout Northern California. Its primary areas of focus include aquatic resources, waters permitting, federal and state Endangered Species Act permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory permitting strategy. The Principal Team Lead oversees complex permitting and resource management projects across transportation, water resources, renewable energy, restoration, utilities, and land development. As a senior technical advisor and consultant to clients, the role guides permitting strategy, addresses regulatory challenges, and supports high-quality project delivery. Responsibilities span technical leadership, project and financial performance, staff supervision and mentoring, client and regulator relationships, and business development. The role leads team operations and complex projects; supports staff development, workload planning, and process improvements; and provides technical direction and quality assurance. It guides project scopes, schedules, budgets, risks, and milestones, while contributing to standards, innovation, and regional strategic planning. The position also leads or reviews biological resources reports, assessments, survey protocols, field surveys, permitting materials, and environmental documents under applicable federal, state, and local programs. The Team Lead partners with the Northern California Natural Resources Director and regional staff on planning, growth, and operational objectives across the CALPAC region. The position coordinates with project managers, technical specialists, field personnel, regional leadership, other technical teams, and corporate support functions. It also supports team readiness through coordination of safety, equipment, training, and regulatory or research updates, and represents SWCA in professional networks and industry organizations. Applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and current resume. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may close once a strong candidate pool is established. The stated pay range is $127,196.16–$166,133.76 per year; eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses. SWCA describes its Total Rewards package as including an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field; knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including biological fieldwork, environmental consulting, and project management; experience managing others is required.
Experience developing and managing project budgets, schedules, and scopes of work from initiation through final deliverables.
Demonstrated experience authoring or contributing to natural resources technical reports and environmental documentation for varied projects, agencies, and jurisdictions.
Technical expertise in biological resource studies, habitat assessments, special-status species surveys, or related natural resources disciplines.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including NEPA, CEQA, and ESA.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction to professional staff.
Ability to manage competing priorities, solve complex problems, exercise sound judgment, and drive projects to completion.
Ability to learn and apply company procedures, adapt to changing project needs, and implement new approaches or techniques.
Submit a Letter of Interest and current resume for consideration.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience.
Advanced expertise in one or more specialized biological resource disciplines, such as rare plant identification, aquatic resource delineation, special-status species expertise, or sensitive habitat assessments.
Experience preparing environmental documentation and permitting materials under NEPA, CEQA, ESA, CWA, the Coastal Zone Act, or related regulatory programs.
Experience in transportation, water, and land development.
Demonstrated business development success, including client relationship management, proposal development, and identification of new project opportunities.
Established professional relationships and experience working with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and clients in California and the Western United States.

Responsibilities

Lead team operations, improve efficiency and productivity, manage workload distribution, and communicate the team's vision and priorities.
Attract, recruit, develop, mentor, and retain staff; make staffing adjustments in coordination with other leads.
Strategically consult on and lead complex projects, oversee technical approaches, and ensure quality assurance and quality control.
Serve as a technical expert and consultant, developing project strategies and supporting alignment with client needs and regulatory and industry standards.
Guide project performance and delegated tasks, manage milestones and outcomes, assess risks, and address problems.
Recommend or revise project scopes, schedules, and budgets as requirements evolve.
Contribute to business growth, technical innovation, new methods and standards, and SWCA strategic planning.
Promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and maintain consultative relationships with clients, regulators, industry partners, and internal stakeholders.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Lead preparation and review of biological resources reports, biological assessments, wetland delineation reports, and biological resource sections of NEPA and CEQA documents.
Develop survey protocols and oversee focused, protocol-level, and pre-construction surveys for sensitive habitats and species.
Prepare and review permitting, compliance, and planning documentation associated with NEPA, CEQA, ESA, and CWA.
Partner with the Northern California Natural Resources Director and regional staff on team planning, growth, and operational objectives across the CALPAC region.
Provide project-specific technical direction and mentorship to project managers, technical staff, and field personnel.
Serve as a liaison among Natural Resources staff, regional leadership, technical teams, and corporate support functions.
Coordinate resources related to safety, equipment, training opportunities, and regulatory or research updates.
Lead proposal development and evaluate business development opportunities in support of regional growth.
Participate in industry organizations and professional networks to expand client relationships and market presence.
Perform related work as assigned.