Field Biologist

Summary:

• Type: Full-time, Hybrid position
• Position Level: Mid-to-Senior level (8 years specific experience and additional certifications required – see below)
• Work Location: On-site in the Bay Area, California
• Pay Type: Salary, exempt
• Background Check Required?: Yes, upon conditional offer of employment
• Relocation Assistance?: No
• Other Requirements: Valid United States driver’s license and 3 years of a clean driving record (see below)

Job Description:

Keish Environmental is seeking a self-motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Field Biologist On-Call/As Needed. This position works alongside our clients, both in government and the private industry, to provide biological surveys, delineations, assessments and reports. Candidates will typically monitor biological compliance of infrastructure projects under construction or under alteration to ensure regulatory and permit compliance.

In this role, the candidate will work on multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced and rewarding environment. Our public and private sector clients rely on Keish staff to fulfill their project needs for timely biological surveys and permit compliance documentation, including coordination and communication internally and externally with a diverse group of stakeholders.

This position is a FULL-TIME, HYBRID position (estimated to average ~40 hours/week; ~75% work in the field on job sites, with periodic in the office meetings with client and KeishEnv staff). This person will work primarily in an independent setting at remote construction project locations within the Bay Area, California (comprised of 9 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma). Most tasks revolve around assessing construction projects, performing sensitive status species and monitoring, surveying biological resources habitat condition, monitoring restoration projects, using innovative mapping resources to track wetland ad habitat acreage, providing education, outreach, and training opportunities, and conducting timely reporting of field issues.

You must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

You must have a valid United States driving license and 3 years of a clean driving record, defined as, “A clean driving record is one without any accidents, moving violations, or application of points as assigned in the California driver's record system.”

The ideal candidate will have a keenness of observation and physical endurance/stamina (ability to twist, turn, stretch, reach, climb, pull, walk long distances on flat and hilly terrain, sit and stand for long periods of time – a comfortable full range of motion), and to carry equipment weights up to 30 lbs.

Duties:

Perform biological inspections and surveys for construction projects of varying complexity. Our clients include local, state, and federal governmental agencies, in addition to private industry (light commercial, heavy industrial, infrastructure). Specific responsibilities include:

• Perform pre-construction migratory nesting bird surveys.
• Perform pre-creek work species presence/absence surveys.
• Perform required 401/404/LSAA permit oversight for special status species during construction work.
• Manage biological field assessment data, compile, perform statistical analysis, and interpret results.
• Evaluate assessment method performance.
• Compose technical reports summarizing habitat condition, including mapping and results.
• Formulate restoration and mitigation project management recommendations and action items.
• Participate in field work to collect physical and biological data as part of habitat health assessments and restoration projects.
• Take part in and present at for educational presentations, professional workshops, and organized trainings, and public outreach events.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to share data, respond to inquiries, and participate with wetland related projects.
• Compile and present research and project findings to professional audiences at professional conferences, work group meetings, and webinars.
• Report on environmental/biological incidents and issues at site.
• Document and report biological/permit construction compliance.
• Coordinate with other company-wide staff to ensure regulatory compliance for inspection criteria, when required.
• Maintain expertise in existing and emerging software for tracking and analyzing relevant biological data to improve the company’s programs.
• Identify, track, and communicate process improvements, wherever appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university in any of the following fields of study: Ecology, Conservation Biology, Field Biology, Natural Resources, or Wildlife Management. NOTE: This requirement will be verified in the background check.
• At least eight (8) or more years of work experience in a field monitoring setting; observing, collecting, analyzing, reviewing, and interpreting construction project compliance data.
• Handling certifications in California most of the following species:
  • California Red legged frog
  • Foothill yellow legged frog
  • Marbled murrelet
  • Santa Cruz black salamander
  • California giant salamander (Tiger salamander)
  • Dusky footed wood rat
  • Nesting birds
  • Western pond turtle
  • Central California Coast Coho Salmon
  • Central California Coast steelhead
  • Rare plants of California
• Demonstrated experience working in tidal and non-tidal wetlands to collect biological and physical data.
• Familiarity and working experience using and developing standardized field protocols and methodologies.
• Experience communicating environmental concepts to a range of audiences.
• Strong written, oral, and graphic communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and experience with project management.
• Ability to work well independently and as a team to collaborate with State and Federal agencies, academia, conservation partners and private landowners. Valid driver's license (not suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
• Willingness and ability to carry heavy equipment and work in adverse conditions, and to travel throughout the state (occasionally for out-of-state and overnight trips) and sometimes work long days or occasional nights or weekends.
• Familiarity with preparing and implementing Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and/or Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plans (MMRP) under CEQA/NEPA.
• Experience completing comprehensive site inspection and monitoring forms.
• Must be able to read construction plans, specifications, estimates, site analysis diagrams, laboratory analytical reports, and site schematics.
• COVID-19 vaccinations required (medical or religious exceptions granted).
• Valid state-issued driver’s license and a clean driving record for at least the previous five (5) years.
• Reliable vehicle for transportation to remote work sites.
• Perform physical labor and movement, including standing, climbing, sitting, and/or lifting. Able to physically transport 20-50 lbs. on a consistent basis.
• Background checks required.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, Experience:

• A resume showing progressively responsible experience in biological resources, restoration project implementation, and environmental compliance for construction projects.
• Special species handling permits greatly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of California and Federal wetland and regulatory agency permitting processes (401, 404, ad LSAA).
• Experience with implementing CEQA/NEPA biological mitigations.
• Valid Construction General Permit Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) certification preferred.
• Valid certification as an Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP).
• Proactive communicator, collaborator who can take and give direction, provide actionable reports, and work updates.
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter with a demonstrated track record of successfully managing and completing multiple concurrent projects.
• Effectively work independently and with a diverse project team.
• Enjoy learning and sharing knowledge with others for the success of the company.
• Have a keen attention to detail.
• Be flexible and able to work with a variety of topics and tasks. Proven ability to perform in a high volume, time sensitive/deadline environment with a track record of dependability.
• Flexible hours and availability at nights and on weekends if required by the project (typically pre-scheduled).
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment with sensitive information disclosures.
• Strong technical reading, writing, and reporting experience related to understanding sampling data and engineering drawings, construction specifications, and technical environmental reports.
• Proficient with personal computers, digital devices, software applications including, but not limited to: MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Wage & Benefits:

• $70.00-$90.00 per hour, depending on experience
• A portfolio of comprehensive insurance benefits (Medical, Dental, Optical, Chiropractic/Acupuncture, Life, Long-term Disability)
• Vacation Personal Time-Off accrual
• Sick Personal Time-Off accrual
• 401K retirement program
• Employee Bonus & Incentive program
  
• The opportunity to work with a dynamic, established firm in the environmental construction management field in one of the hottest and most tech-progressive areas of the country, teaming up with government agencies and private firms to help usher in a state and country-wide green revolution. In this capacity, we work hard to support a myriad of infrastructure projects throughout California and the U.S. Federal sphere, but we do so collaboratively as a team. And although we work hard, we also know how to have fun! Bi-monthly in-person team building events, employee and project celebrations of important milestones, and providing opportunities for furthering your education & certifications, professional organization memberships, social mingles, and even volunteerism are just a few of the ways we strive for a solid work-life balance and an environment that fosters employee professional and personal growth!

Company Description:

KeishEnv is a small, woman-owned business offering storm water, environmental compliance, and construction/program management services. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California, with an additional office in Oakland, California. We are a customer-focused company founded to meet the growing need for environmental management systems on large infrastructure projects.

KeishEnv is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or veteran status. We are Diversity-Equity-Inclusion (DEI) friendly and support a tolerant, nurturing, and supportive work culture. We invest in our employees and believe in our company vision of changing the world for the better, one project at a time!

APPLICANT REPLIES ONLY. RECRUITERS AND STAFFING AGENCIES - DO NOT CONTACT.