Senior Biologist and Project Manager

Environmental Science Associates•Seattle, WA

2d•$120,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Biologist and Project Manager to join their Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management team. The role involves planning, designing, permitting, mitigating, and restoring projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the Northwest United States, including developing wildlife studies, conducting wetland delineations, preparing permitting packages and mitigation strategies, and completing environmental documentation for regulatory agencies. Project management experience, including managing staff, budgets, and contracts, is essential. Experience in markets such as airports, aviation, renewable energy, community development, and transportation is preferred. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position that requires intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to lead projects with complex biological resource issues in a client-facing role. Responsibilities include representing clients in agency discussions, planning and directing surveys, mentoring staff, and pursuing new contracts. The position emphasizes collaboration, quality, client service, and teamwork.

Requirements

At least 20 years of experience delivering projects in the Northwest United States.
Experience developing and implementing wildlife studies.
Experience conducting wetland delineations.
Experience preparing permitting packages and mitigation strategies.
Experience completing environmental documentation for permits in Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states to support consultation with regulatory agencies.
Project Management experience as a consultant.
Experience managing staff level of effort, project budgets, and contract requirements.
Strong communication skills.
Experience in aquatic resource evaluations, wildlife surveys, project permitting, and project management.
Experience throughout Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states.
Demonstrated experience with state and federal agencies such as the USFWS, NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service.
Experience managing projects throughout all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction.
Experience managing large, complex projects and meeting milestones within schedule and budget expectations.
Competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight.
Strong interest in business development and experience acquiring work through an existing network.
Served as the primary author on a variety of environmental documents such as Wetland and Stream Reports and Biological Assessments for Endangered Species Act consultations.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Experience in delivering environmental studies and permits for large linear projects, the transportation sector (roadways, bridges), aviation and airports, and renewable energy projects.
Ability to build and maintain client relationships across several markets and geographies.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently.
Ability to walk long distances carrying a backpack.
Ability to lift at least 40 pounds.
Confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas.
May be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions.
Some night and/or weekend work may be required.
Hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree in biology or a related environmental or ecological field.

Nice To Haves

Experience across multiple markets, including airports and aviation, renewable energy, community development, and transportation.
Experience with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Experience with the Federal Aviation Administration is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement wildlife studies.
Conduct wetland delineations.
Prepare permitting packages and mitigation strategies.
Complete environmental documentation for permits in Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states to support consultation with regulatory agencies.
Manage projects with complex biological resource issues.
Represent clients in agency discussions.
Plan and direct surveys.
Mentor and develop staff.
Pursue and win new contracts.
Serve as a technical specialist, preparing and managing complex projects and environmental analyses.
Coordinate with key team members, including senior staff, subconsultants, and clients.
Produce technical work and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported.
Lead large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary development projects, managing scope, schedule, and budget.
Resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively.
Lead and advise on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies.
Provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables.
Lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
Lead and support business and client development efforts, including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal/interview teams.
Prepare scopes of work and budgets.
Treat people respectfully and equitably.
Work collaboratively with teams and clients.
Demonstrate attentive listening skills.
Communicate constructively and work cooperatively to solve project and team challenges.
Provide mentorship and support for junior staff, including reviewing their work and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance.
Serve as field lead or crew member performing field surveys.
Be the primary author of environmental documents.
Design and lead field survey efforts and data collection for environmental projects.
Work with multiple teams and complex schedules.