Senior Natural Resources Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Half Moon Bay, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Natural Resources Team Lead for its Natural Resources Program in Half Moon Bay, California. This full-time, regular, salaried/exempt, hybrid-based role provides leadership for multidisciplinary natural resources projects across the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, with a focus on wildlife biology, botany, aquatic resources and waters permitting, environmental compliance, and resource management. The role guides project strategy and delivery across infrastructure, restoration, utility, transportation, renewable energy, and land development projects, supporting regulatory permitting and environmental compliance objectives. The Senior Natural Resources Team Lead oversees staff, projects, and client relationships while advancing business development, project performance, and operational success. The successful candidate will help shape the continued growth of SWCA’s Half Moon Bay Natural Resources Program, build strategic client partnerships, and advance technical excellence throughout the region. The role works closely with the Northern California Natural Resources Director, project managers, and technical specialists on project execution, client engagement, and regional growth initiatives. SWCA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing environmental services across the United States. The company describes its North Star as being the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to environmental challenges. Its stated values include collaboration, continuous learning, innovation, and giving back to communities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field; minimum qualifications also describe knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree.
Eight years of progressively responsible experience in biological fieldwork, environmental consulting, and project management.
Experience developing and managing project budgets, schedules, and scopes of work from project initiation through final deliverables.
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 the Endangered Species Act.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction to professional staff; minimum qualifications specify some experience managing others.
Ability to manage competing priorities, solve complex problems, exercise sound judgment, and drive projects to successful completion.
Ability to learn and apply company procedures, adapt to changing project needs, and implement new approaches or techniques as appropriate.
Submit a Letter of Interest and current resume to be considered.
When driving is required, possess a valid driver’s license and meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
When travel is required, be able to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification for work-related domestic travel.
Willingness to participate in drug and alcohol screening when required by project or client requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience.
Advanced expertise in one or more specialized biological resource disciplines, such as rare plant identification, protocol-level special-status species surveys, or sensitive habitat assessments.
Experience preparing environmental documentation and permitting materials under NEPA, CEQA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, or related regulatory programs.
Experience with transportation, water, and land development projects.
Demonstrated success in business development, including client relationship management, proposal development, and identifying 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

Manage team operations to improve efficiency and productivity, identify process improvements, and support staff development, mentoring, recruitment, and retention.
Track workload distribution and productivity, make staffing adjustments in collaboration with other leads, and communicate team vision, priorities, and accountability.
Strategically consult on and lead complex projects, oversee technical approaches, and ensure quality assurance and quality control.
Support the development and improvement of standards and practices, ensuring project work aligns with industry and regulatory standards.
Provide technical expertise and consultation, develop project strategies, and address client needs and project requirements.
Guide project performance and milestones, assess risks, solve problems, and revise or recommend revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as needed.
Drive business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, new methods, and contributions to strategic planning.
Promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and provide comprehensive technical support with other specialists.
Build consultative relationships with internal and external clients, agency regulators, and industry partners, as applicable.
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 field surveys for sensitive habitats and species, including focused, protocol-level, and pre-construction surveys.
Prepare and review permitting, compliance, and planning documentation related to NEPA, CEQA, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act.
Partner with the Northern California Natural Resources Director and regional staff on team planning, growth, and operational objectives.
Provide technical direction and mentorship to natural resources project managers, technical staff, and field personnel.
Act 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 supporting regional growth.
Represent SWCA in industry organizations and professional networks to expand client relationships and market presence.
Drive compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements to support overall team safety.