Lead, Senior, or Principal Biologist

About the Role

Job responsibilities for senior‑level positions involve leading larger, more complex, and often multi‑disciplinary projects. The incumbent will serve as project manager or technical lead, identify and pursue new business opportunities, resolve client issues, coordinate and lead biological surveys and reporting efforts (including jurisdictional waters permitting), collaborate closely with other resource scientists and planners, develop innovative resource‑assessment approaches, and drive compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements. • Manage and lead complex, multi‑disciplinary biological resource projects. • Serve as project manager or technical lead, overseeing surveys, reporting, and permitting. • Identify and develop new business opportunities for the firm. • Mentor staff, coordinate team efforts, and conduct technical reviews of deliverables. • Ensure compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸project management
• ▸biological surveys
• ▸reporting
• ▸permitting
• ▸technical review
• ▸safety compliance

What You Bring

The organization is considering candidates for three levels: Lead Biologist (typically at least eight years of relevant experience), Senior Biologist (typically at least ten years), and Principal Biologist (typically at least twelve years). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the process will remain open until a robust pool of qualified candidates is obtained. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field (master’s degree highly desired) and at least eight years of experience in biological surveys and resource management. Candidates should have experience working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists, managing subcontractors, ensuring technical excellence, and writing technical reports. Strong wildlife and/or plant identification skills and familiarity with the Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and jurisdictional waters permitting are required. The ideal candidate demonstrates initiative, problem‑solving ability, and effective task completion. They should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, have a willingness to learn and grow into greater project‑management and supervisory responsibilities, and be able to promote SWCA’s services internally and externally. • Hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or related field (master’s preferred) and at least 8 years of relevant experience. • Demonstrated expertise in wildlife/plant identification and familiarity with ESA, CEQA, NEPA, and jurisdictional waters permitting. • Proven ability to write high‑quality technical reports and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

• ▸biology degree
• ▸masters
• ▸8+ years
• ▸wildlife id
• ▸esa
• ▸technical reports

Benefits

This is a regular, full‑time salaried position that can be worked in a hybrid or remote capacity. Pay is competitive and based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA provides a team‑oriented environment, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). Compensation varies by level: Lead Biologist $91,260‑$119,246/year, Senior Biologist $104,644‑$136,281/year, and Principal Biologist $119,246‑$155,750/year, with actual pay dependent on experience, qualifications, location, and client requirements. Employees are eligible for performance bonuses and a total rewards package that includes competitive benefits, workplace flexibility, and extensive career‑development resources. • Competitive salary ($91k‑$156k depending on level) with performance bonuses and ESOP participation. • Comprehensive benefits package, flexible work options, and robust career development programs.

Work Environment

Hybrid