Principal Biologist and Project Manager

Take Your Delivery Management Career to the Next Level

Do you have a passion for managing budgets, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations? Our delivery management professionals are involved in project delivery from initiation and planning to execution, monitoring, and closeout. Each phase requires strong attention to detail while communicating to internal and external stakeholders. Do you have a proven track record in managing goals and objectives? Consider joining our team and work with peers who have vast industry knowledge and experience solving complex problems.

Step into Your New Role

Kleinfelder's Southern California Area are seeking a Principal Biologist/Project Manager with a natural science background to provide leadership, mentorship and coaching to a talented Biology and Natural Resources Team, with a diverse set of skills. This position will be based in Los Angeles, Laguna Hills, Riverside, or San Diego, California and primarily focused on projects in California and the southwest region. The candidate should have technical expertise in biological and ecological services, project management experience, ability to support field survey work, and demonstrate strong oral and technical writing skills.  Project opportunities also include cross selling biological services with our Environmental, Civil Design, Bridge, Geotechnical, and Construction Materials Testing groups. This is a terrific opportunity for growth and advancement within the industry and with the support of a dedicated team and company.

The selected candidate will serve as the Southern California Biological Resources Group Leader and work in a collaborative environment with other key leaders and decision makers within Kleinfelder.  Your role will focus on technical leadership, business/client development, staff mentoring, and program management. while also adding project management and technical leadership. He or she will focus on expanding and diversifying Kleinfelder's Biological Resources operation introducing new clients and opportunities, mentoring, and growing staff, and providing business development leadership. This is an excellent growth opportunity for an individual with an established reputation in biological & ecological consulting, looking to collaborate with a team of experts to do meaningful work. 

Specific expectations in this role will include: 

• Coordination with other project managers and multidisciplinary teams, in addition to developing and monitoring project budgets and schedules.
• Business development and client account management
• Managing and preparing concise, accurate technical documents that meet regulatory requirements and professional standards.
• Thorough understanding of CEQA, NEPA planning, permitting, and compliance regulatory requirements
• Experience with conducting Section 404/401 aquatic resource inventories and permitting
• Experience with USFWS ESA Section 7 and/or Section 10 - Biological Assessment surveys and reporting
• Habitat mitigation planning for sensitive biological resources, rare flora and fauna, and wetlands
• Expert knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of biological consulting, including flora, fauna, and habitats of California; special-status species and resources; and relevant federal, state, and local regulations of environmental resources
• Experienced in successfully providing leadership to diverse (both technically and geographically) project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skill
• Participation and oversight of the preparation of competitive proposals
• Ability to deliver professional presentations.

This position will be a great fit for candidates with experience coordinating, managing, and completing wildlife and botanical surveys, nesting bird surveys, habitat assessments and biological compliance monitoring and environmental permitting. This position provides a fantastic opportunity to take your career to the next level.  

Qualifications for this role:  

• BS degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Natural Resources Management, or other related environmental science field required.
• 8 – 9 years of related experience, 5 – 6 years project management experience and knowledge of applicable laws and regulations required. 3 – 4 years supervisory/management experience required.
• Previous demonstrated technical consulting and business development experience.
• Experience with staff supervision and development is essential.
• Previous experience with state/federal agency permitting processes for special-status species and sensitive habitats. 

Preferred qualifications for this role:

• MS degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Natural Resources Management, or other related environmental science field
• Diverse background and understanding of southern California wildlife and plant communities; as well as California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Move Forward with Kleinfelder

Kleinfelder has been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients' transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 85 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose - together, we deliver.

Progress with an Employer that Values You 

Kleinfelder is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following: 

Benefits: Kleinfelder offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law.  Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Salary range: 126,693-186,333

Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program. 

Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules) 

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES 

Please note that Kleinfelder does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.