Senior Biologist

Coachella Valley Water District•Palm Desert, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

CVWD’s Environmental Services Department seeks a skilled and adaptable professional to lead ecological restoration and mitigation projects, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect natural resources. Key responsibilities include fieldwork, data analysis, monitoring program development, technical reporting, consultant oversight, agency coordination, and guidance on habitat restoration, conservation, and biological impacts. The successful candidate will possess strong organizational and time management skills, comprehensive knowledge of environmental regulations and permitting, knowledge and experience in ecological restoration efforts, and a professional, collaborative approach to serving internal and external customers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, ecology, botany, wildlife, zoology or related discipline in a life sciences field, or a closely related field.
Five (5) years of environmental experience, including working with wildlife and navigating environmental regulations.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of principles and practices used in the planning, design, and implementation of restoration, conservation, mitigation, and monitoring programs of biological resources.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration; organization and operation of municipal government.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices used to identify and evaluate the biological impacts caused by District operations, programs, and activities.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of scientific research, statistics, analysis, and reporting used in the discipline of biology.
Knowledge of biological field equipment used to sample, monitor, and measure biological resources.
Knowledge of planning, organizing, conducting, and managing biological investigations and surveys.
Knowledge of ecological principles (e.g., wetlands, botany, fisheries, wildlife).
Knowledge of Federal and State permitting regulations, laws, processes, and practices applicable to all of the District natural resource assets, including: National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Clean Water Act, State and Federal Endangered Species Act, California Fish and Game Code.
Extensive knowledge of southern California biological communities.
Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal environmental regulations.
Knowledge of Habitat and Natural Community Conservation Plans.
Knowledge of Endemic Fish and wildlife species within CVWD’s service area.
Knowledge of Salton Sea regulatory background involving the QSA and SSMP.
Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, including ESA, CESA, CEQA, and NEPA.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex permits, reports and regulations.
Ability to review and interpret regulations and minimize potential impacts to the District.
Ability to understand and review biological resource laws and policies.
Ability to formulate and evaluate proposals and alternatives for use in natural resource management.
Ability to apply and utilize the principles, data, and processes of the District’s Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Cartography.
Ability to prepare effective technical reports and memos; utilize technical writing skills as required for the preparation of environmental compliance reports and correspondence.
Ability to develop monitoring plans and standard operating procedures.
Ability to perform accurate mathematical calculations.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, legal and procedural guidelines.
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Responsibilities

Leads in the development of ecological restoration mitigation monitoring and reporting activities.
Performs ecological investigations, research, monitoring, surveys, technical writing, planning and reporting to meet regulatory compliance objectives.
Protects, restores, enhances, and manages the District’s wetlands, flora, fisheries, and wildlife resources.
Provides guidance to assess, prevent, mitigate, and manage biological impacts resulting from District projects, programs, and activities.
Engages outside agencies and partnerships in a collaborative effort to streamline the delivery of restoration projects at the Salton Sea.
Oversees and manages the development, implementation and reporting of Mitigation Monitoring or Reporting Programs (MMRP) and Mitigation Monitoring Plan (MMP).
Assists with the identification, implementation, and evaluation of biological Best Management Practices (BMP).
Recommends and evaluates methods, goals, and measures of success.
Completes site assessments, prepares existing conditions reports, biological opportunities and constraints analysis, and biological data collection summaries.
Manages and coordinates district mitigation sites including site maintenance, monitoring, and ensuring easements, partners, and tenants are in accordance with their terms and conditions.
Identifies issues, conducts assessments, reviews plans and specifications for sensitive species, habitat information, biological impacts, and mitigation projects.
Advises management on natural resource permits and associated processes.
Interprets and negotiates permits, and identifies the need for permits issued by resource agencies (e.g. U.S. Army Corp of engineers, CA department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, etc.).
Serves as district liaison with the regulators.
Engages and coordinates directly with outside agencies and partners in collaborative efforts to streamline delivery of Coachella Valley and Salton Sea restoration projects, including those projects proposed by the Quantitative Settlement Agreement, Salton Sea Management Plan, and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan project partners.
Oversees, inspects, and negotiates the work of biological consultants and service providers (e.g. laboratories and nurseries).
Provides technical input to their work processes and products.
Serves as District liaison for communication and contract administration.
Develops Request for Proposals (RFP) in compliance with the District’s procurement and contract administration policies and procedures.
Manages technical services contracts and task orders.
Maintains contract records, processes invoices, and ensures compliance with the contracts.
Participates in the creation, monitoring, and maintenance of operating procedures, work instructions, forms, processes, standard methods, and protocol.
Designs, oversees, and participates in quality control and quality assurance processes.
Designs, implements, analyzes, and reports on ecological monitoring activities.
Prepares a variety of technical and administrative reports.
Advises management on project parameters, timelines, and deliverables.
Provides project updates and attends public meetings as an expert.
Monitors activities through workgroups, collaborative efforts, and CVWD initiatives to track and report ongoing activities of IID and SSMP in Environmental and Public Health conditions and the Salton Sea.
Provides assistance to management staff.
Participates in and provides staff support to various committees and boards.
Prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
Troubleshoots, resolves or mitigates project delays and ineffective processes.
Remains current in subject matter requirements, including trends, innovations, and best practices.
Maintains professional networks, participates in professional group meetings, seminars, and workshops.
Reviews content from a variety of professional literature sources, including articles, websites, books, and research papers.
Assists management with various administrative responsibilities and projects, such as budgeting, goals, procedures, and quality assurance standards for projects with biological drivers.
Analyzes proposed and current legislation and governmental policies, rules, and regulations.
Develops recommendations for District compliance.
Performs other duties as assigned.