Wildlife Biologist, Compliance Specialist

WRA, Inc. • San Francisco, CA

3d • $98,000 - $126,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

WRA's Compliance Monitoring Team, founded in 2019, handles approximately 50 projects annually across Northern California, focusing on wetland and marsh restoration, riparian restoration, and marine projects in the San Francisco Bay. This full-time Wildlife Biologist position is crucial for leading and managing teams in permit implementation for construction projects. The role involves managing field staff, training and mentoring junior biologists, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, the biologist will support bidding on construction-phase projects and coordinate with internal project managers, principals, and external clients. The position requires residing within approximately 45 minutes of a Northern California office (San Rafael, Petaluma, or Emeryville) and working at least part-time in a Bay Area office. A significant portion of the job is seasonally field-based, requiring on-site presence throughout Northern California for compliance monitoring, field surveys, and client/regulatory agency meetings, with peak construction activity from June to November. During this busy season, two to three days of field work per week are expected, with potential for night and/or weekend work. More scheduling flexibility is available from December to April.

Requirements

• Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field.
• 5-8 years of professional experience in wildlife biology, ecological consulting, and compliance monitoring on construction projects.
• Extensive knowledge of California's wildlife species, habitats, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Proven experience with project implementation, including fieldwork, staff management, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to a lay audience.
• Project and/or task management experience, including staffing and maintaining project schedules and budgets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams throughout the firm.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new project management and field data systems quickly.
• Experience using or managing tasks in project tracking and communication platforms such as VantagePoint, Asana, or similar tools.
• Willingness and availability to accept field shifts when other staff are unavailable, including nights and weekends.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, especially when managing multiple projects with shifting field logistics and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to health and safety, with experience preparing Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs), conducting safety briefings, and contributing to incident reporting and investigations as needed.
• Scientific curiosity and wonder for the natural world.
• Analytical mindset and ability to find creative solutions.
• Strong leadership skills.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation (while WRA has fleet vehicles that can be reserved for field use, during busy field seasons a truck may not always be available) and willingness to travel to field sites and meetings.
• The ability to walk, hike, and work outside for long periods of time.

Nice To Haves

• Federal Recovery permit, and/or State MOU, or equivalent experience.
• Previous agency approvals as CDFW Designated Biologist, or USFWS Approved Biologist.
• Command of environmental permitting processed including USFWS, CDFW, and CEQA.
• Published research or contributions to scientific literature in the field of wildlife biology.

Responsibilities

• Managing the compliance monitoring stage of multiple projects concurrently, including managing compliance monitoring staff, their schedules, duties, and project reporting.
• Working with WRA team leaders, project managers, and field staff to maintain, document, and report on permit compliance through project implementation.
• Working directly with clients to strategically navigate permit compliance requirements during project implementation.
• Training and mentoring field staff on natural resource protection means and measures based on best available science.
• Leading and reporting on surveys for various species and sensitive habitats during various project phases, including project implementation.
• Authoring, conducting, and maintaining records for awareness training on species, safety, and compliance monitoring for biologists and project personnel.
• Providing creative strategies and recommendations for avoiding and minimizing project effects on sensitive wildlife and habitats.
• Preparing scopes of work and supporting competitive proposal efforts.
• Working collaboratively on sustainable business practices that align with firm Mission and Vision.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employee-owned
• Salary range of $98,000-$126,000
• Internal leveling system for salary bands informed by market data
• Flexible policies
• Internal practices and programs that prioritize learning and sustainability
• Conditions that allow employees to prioritize their families, lead healthy and balanced lives, and bring their authentic selves to work
• Equal opportunity employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level