Central Valley Biological Resources Specialist

Sapphos Environmental, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced and qualified Biological Resources Specialist with extensive technical expertise and project coordination capabilities. This role includes direct 

involvement with species such as San Joaquin kit fox, San Joaquin antelope squirrel, Tipton kangaroo rat, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Swainson’s hawk, western burrowing owl, and rare plants. This position is for a biologist who is knowledgeable of these and other special status species and could qualify for Designated Biologist under California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permits.

This position will include a mix of in-office and field work. It requires biological and environmental compliance technical knowledge, including permitting and regulatory expertise, field leadership skills, and the ability to work independently.

Under the direction of the Biological Resources Supervisor, this position is specifically for renewable energy projects and includes coordination and scheduling of resources and deliverables, designing and conducting field studies, preparation and review of technical reports, and maintaining and building client relationships. 

The candidate should be adaptable in a fast-paced environment with the ability to assess priorities, effectively manage time, and collaborate within the team. A strong work ethic and collaborative spirit exemplifies our existing team dynamics. 

• Lead and participate in fieldwork. May require travel to project sites up to five times per week.
• Review, write, and revise environmental compliance documents including Biological Resources Technical Reports, Habitat Assessments, permit applications and amendments (404, 401, 1600, 2081, Section 7/10), and biological resources sections of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.
• Write technically and procedurally adequate, legally defensible, organized, accurate, and grammatically correct technical documents and project correspondence.
• Facilitate and directly acquire permits in accordance with various agencies’ regulations. 
• Create accurate and manageable schedules for project work, understanding scope and budget, using project management software.
• Identify appropriate subcontractors and supervise subcontractor work performance.
• Attend, direct, and prepare for stakeholders’ meetings to provide expertise and consultation related to biological resources.
• Work to the satisfaction of the client and foster a strong company-client relationship.
• Make accurate, well-prepared, and illustrated public presentations and participate in project-related public meetings (scoping, public review, and certification).

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or closely related field (Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Sciences). 
• Exhibit initiative, responsibility, flexibility, and leadership (ability to train, mentor and lead others, and be open to coaching and feedback). 
• 5+ years of relevant experience, preferably in consulting field experience with biological resources of Central California; emphasis on endangered and threatened species of the San Joaquin Valley.
• Regulatory compliance and oversight understanding.
• Experience with CEQA and NEPA regulatory compliance. 
• Demonstrable planning, communication, scheduling, project tracking, and organizational skills.
• Stakeholder relationship building, coordination, and cooperation. 
• Dispute resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Strong expertise in the acquisition of permits through various agencies. 
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

While not required, permits to handle state- and federally-listed threatened and endangered species under existing state and/or federal authorizations are desirable, or a combination of sufficient experience and skills that would facilitate issuance of state and federal wildlife handling permits and certifications.

• Location: Bakersfield or adjacent, California (local project and office presence required)
• Salary: $70,000 – $109,000
• Status: Exempt
• Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401k/Roth retirement accounts, flexible spending account, generous PTO package with up to 13 paid holidays (2 more after one year), annual training allotment, annual gym allotment, and more