Senior Biologist and Regulatory Permitting Specialist

LSA•Roseville, CA

About The Position

LSA is seeking a Senior Biologist and Regulatory Permitting Specialist to support and help grow its environmental practice in California’s Central Valley. The position combines biological and regulatory expertise with an understanding of environmental consulting, client service, and the work needed to move complex projects from environmental review and permitting through environmental compliance. The successful candidate will bring extensive knowledge of Central Valley plant and wildlife species, particularly special-status species and sensitive habitats, as well as applicable federal and State environmental regulations. The role involves developing permitting strategies; preparing technically sound documents; coordinating with regulatory agencies; managing schedules and budgets; mentoring junior staff; and communicating with clients, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams. The specialist will lead biological assessments, focused surveys, impact analyses, technical reporting, permit applications, and compliance efforts. The position also supports CEQA and NEPA environmental review, project and staff management, quality control, client guidance, proposal preparation, and business development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in field biology, botany, ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of Central Valley plant and wildlife species, including identification of special-status species and sensitive habitats.
Relevant professional certifications or demonstrated prior agency approval to conduct focused surveys or monitoring of special-status species in the Central Valley.
Experience conducting aquatic resource delineations and assessments, special-status species surveys, construction monitoring, and permit compliance.
Substantial experience preparing and processing environmental permit applications and coordinating with federal, State, and regional regulatory agency staff.
Strong understanding of CEQA, NEPA, the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and related biological resource requirements.
Experience with Section 7 consultation and preparation or review of biological assessments and supporting documentation.
Excellent technical writing, editing, organization, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to understand client objectives and develop practical strategies that move projects forward while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Experience preparing project scopes, schedules, and budgets; managing staff assignments and multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to mentor junior staff, provide clear technical guidance, and conduct quality-control reviews.
Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within established schedules and budgets.
Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and agency meetings throughout the Central Valley as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Current 10(a)(1)(A) recovery permits for Central Valley species.
Established relationships with Central Valley clients and agency personnel.
At least five years of experience supporting water infrastructure, flood-control, transportation, agricultural, restoration, and/or public works projects in the Central Valley.
Business development and networking experience.

Responsibilities

Lead biological site assessments, focused field surveys, impact analyses, and preparation of technical reports, including due diligence assessments, biological resource assessments, aquatic resource assessments and delineations, and related documents.
Identify potential project effects on special-status species, sensitive natural communities, wetlands, and other aquatic resources.
Develop practical and defensible avoidance, minimization, mitigation, monitoring, and compliance measures.
Prepare, obtain, and manage compliance with permits from agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and California State Lands Commission.
Submit permit applications and supporting materials through agency platforms such as EPIMS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Request System (RSS).
Maintain current knowledge of regulatory definitions, permitting requirements, and processes, including waters of the U.S. and State, Fish and Game Code Section 1602, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 408, Central Valley Flood Protection Board permits, California State Lands Commission approvals, and Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation.
Coordinate with clients, engineers, environmental planners, regulatory agencies, technical specialists, and stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain project schedules.
Support CEQA and NEPA environmental review, including preparation and review of biological resource sections and supporting technical documentation.
Manage multiple projects, including scopes of work, budgets, schedules, deliverables, and quality-control reviews of technical documents prepared by other staff.
Provide clients with clear, responsive, solution-oriented guidance on environmental constraints, regulatory requirements, and permitting strategies.
Mentor and oversee junior biologists and permitting staff by providing technical direction, reviewing work products, and supporting professional development.
Assist with proposal preparation, business development, and expansion of LSA’s biological resources and regulatory permitting practice in the Central Valley.