Lead Wetland Delineator/Senior Biologist

Pax Environmental, Inc. seeks a Lead Wetland Delineator/Senior Biologist in California, responsible for overseeing wetland delineations, drafting permit applications, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The role emphasizes client relations, project management, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have a relevant degree and significant experience in environmental consulting. This position requires frequent fieldwork and is limited to California residents, indicating it is not a remote job.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY, Regions: Southern/Central California

Company Overview

Pax Environmental, Inc. is a veteran-owned environmental consulting firm based out of Ojai, CA. Pax offers a range of professional services including ecological restoration; water quality analysis; wildlife biology; environmental regulatory permitting; air quality services, archaeological and paleontological services, GIS services; and multidisciplinary project management. Our growing and talented team prides itself on being accountable, reputable, diverse, and committed.

Summary

Responsible for conducting, coordinating, and overseeing jurisdictional delineations and reporting, as well as drafting permit application packages. This Lead Wetland Delineator/Senior Biologist role ensures that all environmental assessments and activities meet regulatory requirements, with a focus on client relations, effective communication, collaborating with relevant stakeholders, managing project timelines, and ensuring that all required permits are obtained and adhered to.

A key responsibility of this role is to maintain a high level of enthusiasm, drive, and passion for the work at hand. The Lead Wetland Delineator/Senior Biologist is expected to combine humility with a hunger to learn and grow, bringing a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to the team. This includes a commitment to collaboration, critical thinking, and decisive action, all while thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Additionally, the Lead Wetland Delineator/Senior Biologist will be expected to mentor junior team members, sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and fostering their professional development to build a stronger, more cohesive team.

Essential Duties
• Conduct delineations to determine the extent of agency jurisdiction with regards to waterways and wetlands.
• Prepare high quality technical reports and environmental documents detailing the results of the delineations, including habitat assessments and jurisdictional delineation reports.
• Able to accurately and quickly identify plant species and classify vegetation communities based on the Manual of California Vegetation.
• Building and maintaining productive professional and personal networking relationships.
• Develop, manage, and implement projects related to wetlands, biophysical impact assessments, environmental assessments, and regulatory approvals.
• Provide supervision, training, technical direction and mentoring to field biologists.
• Use of GPS units and aerial photographs for project navigation and collect field data.
• Taking photographs and detailed notes of site conditions.
• Understanding of project environmental requirements and associated laws protecting biological resources.
• Participate in Health & Safety Policies (HASP), Procedures, Standards and Guidelines in the execution of all work.
• Frequent field work, often requiring overnight stays.

Desired Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental biology, wildlife management, botany, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in restoration and environmental consulting.
• 3+ years of conducting jurisdictional delineations as a lead delineator.
• Completed a 40-hour wetland delineation training course by an accredited institute.
• Special-status species experience.
• Proficiency in plant identification.
• Established relationships with local, state, and federal permitting agencies. 
• Familiar with CEQA, NEPA, CESA, CWA Compliance processes and permitting including Initial Study Biological Assessments.
• Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing biological technical reports, environmental impact evaluation, siting reports, and environmental permit applications, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations. 
• Demonstrated experience leading environmental permitting of energy facilities, pipelines, and/or linear infrastructure projects in the western United States including: USACE 404 wetland permitting, CDFW 1600 Agreements and CESA permitting, RWQCB 401 certifications, and other environmental permitting. 
• Prior experience with wildlife and/or botanical targeted surveys required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with MS Office.

Competencies
• Highly motivated and team-oriented
• Effective and concise communication
• Strong leadership and relationship building skills
• Ability to delegate effectively
• Must have a satisfactory driving record
• Must provide declaration of auto insurance (CA state-minimum required) upon hire
• Must complete a background check

Physical Requirements
• Required to sit or stand at an office workstation, sometimes for extended periods.
• Required to work on keyboard, using mouse while looking at computer screens/monitors, sometimes for extended periods.
• Comfortable working physically challenging outdoor situations in all types of weather and traveling on a regular basis to project sites which may require overnight stays.
• Able to perform field work on uneven terrain.
• Required to work with tools.
• Be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $37.00 – $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 40 per week

Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Morning shift
• On call

Application Question(s):
• Have you completed a 40-hour wetland delineation training course by an accredited institute?

Education:
• Bachelor’s (Preferred)

Experience:
• restoration and environmental consulting: 5 years (Preferred)
• conducting jurisdictional delineations as a lead delineator: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:
• California (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:
• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote