Environmental Biologist - Entry Level

ZipRecruiter is hiring an Entry Level Environmental Biologist in California, MO. The role involves supporting biological studies, conducting surveys, and preparing reports, primarily from the Santa Ana office. Candidates should have a degree in Biology or related fields and at least one year of experience. The position includes a mix of fieldwork and office tasks, with some collaboration across different Psomas offices.
Position: Environmental Biologist - Staff Entry Level
Location: California

Job Description

Our Environmental Resource Management team in Santa Ana, CA has an opportunity for a talented Biologist. Explore this opportunity with Psomas and apply today!

About being our Biologist

This position would primarily support work out of the Santa Ana office, but may also support other Psomas offices as needed. As a Biologist at Psomas, this position would be overseen by a Project Manager or Biological Resources Manager within our Resource Management Team. This position will be a mix of fieldwork and office work, as determined by the career interests of the individual filling the position.

The Biologist would be expected to perform project biological studies and other varied industry duties, such as preparing biological studies, conducting jurisdictional delineations, report writing, assisting with project management tasks, and other varied industry duties.

Responsibility Highlights for our Biologist
• Conduct biological surveys, such as general plant and wildlife surveys, vegetation mapping, jurisdictional delineations, nesting bird surveys, tree surveys, restoration monitoring.
• Conduct pre-construction surveys and biological monitoring.
• Familiarity in the identification of biological resources of Southern California.
• Familiarity with regulatory agency protocols and permitting processes.
• Familiarity with special status species survey protocols.
• Assist Project Manager in coordinating biological studies and report writing, and in tracking tasks to ensure they are completed within the assigned schedule.
• Prepare technical reports with accuracy, clarity, consistency, and completeness.
• Coordinate with support staff (GIS, editing, word processing).
• Prepare a variety of report types (Biological Constraints Reports, Jurisdictional Delineation, Biological Technical Reports, Biological Resources sections of CEQA documents, Focused Survey Reports, etc.).
• Attend meetings (in person and online), including assisting the Project Manager with preparation.
• Interact with biological staff, subconsultants, and technical leads from other disciplines as needed.
• Participate in professional organization(s) appropriate to technical expertise.

Minimum Qualifications to be our Biologist
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife Biology, or related environmental technical discipline.
• Minimum of 1 year experience as a Biologist.
• Familiarity with common plant species, special status plant and wildlife species in California (optimally the inland Southern California region).
• Familiarity with various survey guidelines, vegetation mapping and classification, and most common wildlife that rely on common habitat types in California (optimally the inland Southern California region).
• Familiarity with federal and state Endangered Species Acts, State Fish and Game Codes, and NEPA/CEQA; familiarity with Clean Water Act.
• Excellent organizational, writing, and oral communication skills.
• Prior experience conducting biological fieldwork, optimally at a consulting firm or resource agency.
• Interest in obtaining expertise/permits to conduct specialized focused surveys.
• Ability to drive in offroad conditions, including potentially remote, rugged, and undeveloped terrain.
• Ability to conduct field work for long days, as needed.
• Physically fit to navigate potentially rugged conditions on foot while carrying supplies.

Highlighted Benefits for our Biologist

Enjoy hybrid and flexible work schedules, an inclusive benefit package providing medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and qualifying family members, a 401(k) with immediate vested company match and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan that is 100% paid by Psomas!
• A competitive salary! The expected range for this position is $23.08-$25.96/hour depending on experience.
Compensation may be adjusted for well qualified candidates.
• 8 Paid Holidays & 3 Weeks of PTO.
• Career pathing, training + professional development.

Strong History + Bright Future

As a 100% employee owned company serving clients throughout the western U.S for over 78 years, Psomas is proud to be an award-winning consulting firm with over 750 employees. Our talented team have an array of skills ranging from construction management, civil engineering, transportation planning, environmental, landscape architecture and urban design, and surveying and geospatial services. We strive for excellence, and welcome candidates of all identities, backgrounds, and perspectives to help us continue evolving as an inclusive, employee-first culture.

Together, we foster a collaborative work environment, promote teamwork, and provide many opportunities for professional growth and advancement. We are looking for team members that are excited to contribute to our projects and make a positive difference in our local community.

We're a fun, rewarding place to work! We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other…