Senior Biologist / Project Manager – Utilities

Rincon Consultants, Inc•Sacramento, CA

5d•$90,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Biologist / Project Manager to join our Utilities program and support environmental review, biological resource analysis, permitting, and regulatory compliance for electric utility and transmission projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys managing technical and permitting assignments, navigating California’s regulatory environment, and collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will manage small-to-moderate projects or defined components of larger efforts while remaining engaged in technical work and supporting the development of junior staff. This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
6+ years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility across technical work, permitting, project management, and client support.
Experience preparing and reviewing Biological Resource Assessments and CEQA and/or NEPA biological analyses.
Working knowledge of California’s regulatory environment and key state and federal permitting programs, including CWA Sections 401 and 404, incidental take permits, streambed alteration agreements, and biological opinions.
Experience within the following disciplines: regulatory permitting and compliance, botanical and wildlife surveys, and aquatic resource delineations.
Experience managing project scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively with clients, agencies, technical teams, and project partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a collaborative consulting environment.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting electric utility or transmission projects in California.

Responsibilities

Prepare and review biological and environmental deliverables, including: Biological Resource Assessments, CEQA and NEPA biological analyses, aquatic resource delineations and permit applications, feasibility studies and biological constraints analyses.
Conduct or manage fieldwork such as wetland delineations, special-status species surveys, biological monitoring, and restoration projects.
Coordinate technical studies and review analyses for consistency with project permitting and compliance requirements.
Interpret and apply relevant local, state, and federal regulations, including CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, ESA, CESA, and the California Coastal Act.
Collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, technical specialists, and multidisciplinary project teams to support efficient and defensible project delivery.
Follow established QA/QC processes and help maintain technical quality across work products.
Manage small-to-moderate biological assessment, permitting, and compliance projects or defined components of larger utility projects.
Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
Serve as a day-to-day contact for clients and regulatory agencies on assigned projects.
Identify permitting needs, regulatory risks, and biological constraints, and elevate complex issues as appropriate.
Coordinate the work of project team members and subcontractors.
Provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff.
Manage multiple assignments while maintaining clear communication and consistent follow-through.
Contribute to client outreach, proposal preparation, and project cost and schedule development.
Support efforts to identify and pursue opportunities with utility clients.
Provide technical and project delivery input for proposals and client discussions.