Senior Biologist

Why Join us?
Harris’ growing Environmental, Engineering, and Consulting Division does industry-leading work in environmental planning and compliance, community planning and housing solutions, engineering design, municipal and district finance, and one water solutions. Harris continues to expand the scope of these services while also building new capabilities in planning, climate change/adaptation, hazard mitigation, resilience, and management consulting.

Harris has an opening for a Senior Biologist to join our Environmental Planning and Compliance team in the Biology Group. If you are a passionate and motivated professional looking for a collaborative environment at a firm that invests heavily in your growth, you could be a perfect fit for Harris & Associates.

What you will do...

• Assist in managing staff preparing large, complex natural resources documents such as Biological Resources Technical Reports and other biological or aquatic resources documents. Operates as primary author or senior reviewer without guidance or assistance.
• Manage projects/tasks that include all aspects of biological analyses and can be creative in thinking to strategize best approaches for clients.
• Provide species expertise and can guide and train junior and mid-level staff. Provide mentorship to junior and mid-level staff.
• Operate as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects.
• Develop work breakdown structure for control and integrity of work to be performed as and defined by the contract.
• Manage projects with large-scale field efforts and intensive schedules including compliance projects requiring adherence to permit conditions.
• Perform project management duties such as forecasting, tracking, accounting updates, invoicing, progress reports, and scheduling.
• Review contracts for understanding of scope, fee, schedule, and deliverables.
• Monitor and analyze project costs, commitments, accruals, and changes, and takes corrective action where necessary.

• Bachelor’s Degree in biology or ecology
• 8+ years of experience as a biologist in Monterey & Santa Cruz County
• Experience with environmental compliance and compliance monitoring
• Experience with protocol and focused wildlife and plant surveys
• Experience with habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, and general biological reconnaissance surveys
• Possession of a valid USFWS 10(a)1(A) permit to conduct wildlife protocol surveys for species in Northern California
• Have a solid understanding of CEQA, NEPA, resource agency permits, and local MSHCPs concepts and requirements.
• Interest in the mentoring and career development of junior and mid-level staff (experience preferred)
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Data management experience, including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
• Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects.
• Valid Driver's License with satisfactory driving record required

• Experience with regulatory agency permitting processes and agency negotiations
• Experience complex environmental issues and regulation requirements
• Experience with ornithology, and sensitive bird species not listed under Endangered Species Acts
• Experience with native plant species identification including rare plants.
• Proficient use of Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Google Earth, and other related software.
• Experience with GPS units/software, ArcGIS, ArcCollector and sub-meter field data collection.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• ESOP
• 401K Match
• PTO, 8 Paid Holidays + "1 WorkAversary" paid holiday to celebrate you!
• Health & Well-Being Allowance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible hybrid/remote work plans