Technical Services Manager

Sequoia Ecological Consulting•Walnut Creek, CA

1d•$140,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Sequoia Ecological Consulting is seeking a Technical Services Manager to lead and develop their technical staff, from Project Managers down to the newest field biologists. This role prioritizes people leadership, with performance measured on team cohesion, retention, development, and delivery, rather than billable hours. The manager will act as a supervisor, advocate, and career developer for their team, with dedicated time for these responsibilities. The position offers real authority, protected time for supervision and development, and the support of the Director of Technical Services and Principals. The firm is committed to investing in the building of strong teams, with a structured approach to career development through Sequoia University and a published Career Architecture. This role serves as a potential pathway to future division leadership, including advancement to Director of Technical Services.

Requirements

7+ years of progressive leadership experience, including direct supervision of professional staff — hiring, reviews, coaching, corrective action, and career development.
Experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring professional staff, and identifying hiring needs proactively based on workload, growth, and team capacity.
Substantial environmental consulting experience, with a working understanding of how consulting teams, project delivery, utilization, and client service actually operate.
A demonstrated record of building, developing, and retaining professional teams.
Experience implementing leadership development, training, or mentoring programs.
Working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, and the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, sufficient to lead technical professionals credibly.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to have direct, fair, and timely conversations.
A bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and industry experience.

Nice To Haves

Deep technical expertise in one or more of Sequoia’s practice areas.
Designated Biologist status or equivalent agency-recognized qualifications.
A master’s degree.
Experience with multi-business-line or matrixed project delivery.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary supervisor for technical staff at the Project Manager tier and below, owning staffing decisions, workload balance, and day-to-day personnel matters.
Hold regular one-on-ones and be a reliable, present first point of contact for your team’s questions, concerns, and growth.
Run performance management that people trust: reviews on schedule, meaningful goals, honest coaching, and recognition that lands.
Make advancement real by ensuring staff get the assignments, training, credentials, and mentorship their next role requires.
Identify hiring needs proactively — anticipating growth, workload, and attrition before they become gaps — and own recruiting, interviewing, and hiring for your team.
Balance assignments so utilization targets are met and field and office schedules fit each person’s role and level.
Identify and resolve project-level staffing and delivery issues, escalating division-level and client-facing decisions to the Director.
Reinforce the technical standards, quality expectations, and compliance practices set by the Director and Principals, consistently and fairly across the team.