Principal Natural Resources Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Natural Resources Team Lead to join our Natural Resources Program in Half Moon Bay this leadership role you will provide strategic technical and operational direction for multidisciplinary natural resources projects throughout Northern California with a primary focus on aquatic resources waters permitting federal and state Endangered Species Act (ESA) permitting environmental compliance and regulatory permitting strategy.

As a principal leader within the program you will oversee complex permitting and resource management projects across transportation water resource renewable energy restoration utility and land development sectors. You will serve as a senior technical advisor and trusted consultant to clients guiding permitting strategy navigating regulatory challenges and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality project outcomes.

This role combines regulatory permitting expertise project management leadership staff supervision and business development responsibilities. You will lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams oversee project performance and financial success cultivate key client and regulatory relationships and help drive the continued growth of SWCAs Natural Resources practice throughout the region.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of managing complex natural resources and permitting projects developing and growing client relationships leading high-performing teams and securing new business opportunities. Experience developing permitting strategies and obtaining authorizations under federal state and local environmental regulations is highly valued.

This is a full-time regular (with benefits) salaried/exempt hybrid opportunity based out of our Half Moon Bay California office. You will work closely with the Northern California Natural Resources Director other Natural Resources leadership project managers and technical specialists to support project delivery client engagement business growth and long-term regional success.

Qualified candidates must submit a Letter of Interest and current resume to be considered for the position.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool isestablished.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA we are #AlwaysLearning we #NeverSettle and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide SWCA offers a collaborative team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

• Team Leadership: Manages team operations to enhance efficiency and productivity identifying and implementing process improvements. Attracts recruits develops and retains top talent focusing on staff development and mentoring. Tracks and manages workload distribution and productivity making staffing adjustments in collaboration with other leads. Ensures accountability and clearly communicates the teams vision and priorities.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Organizational Expertise: Supports innovation of standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCAs values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes schedules and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence innovation and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCAs technical reputation. Contributes to SWCAs strategic planning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
• Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
• Follows applicable federal Tribal state local industry contractual and company regulations standards and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and review of biological resources reports biological assessments wetland delineation reports and biological resource sections of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents.
• Develop survey protocols and oversee field surveys for sensitive habitats and species including focused protocol-level and pre-construction surveys.
• Prepare and review permitting compliance and planning documentation associated with the NEPA CEQA ESA and Clean Water Act (CWA).
• Partner with the Northern California Natural Resources Director and regional staff to support Natural Resources team planning growth and operational objectives across the CALPAC region.
• Provide project-specific technical direction and mentorship to Natural Resources project managers technical staff and field personnel.
• Serve as a liaison between Natural Resources staff regional leadership other technical teams and corporate support functions to promote effective communication and coordination.
• Support team readiness by coordinating resources related to safety equipment training opportunities and regulatory or research updates.
• Lead proposal development efforts and evaluate business development opportunities in support of regional growth objectives.
• Represent the organization through participation in industry organizations and professional networks to expand client relationships and market presence.

Ten years of relevant progressively responsible experience including some experience managing others. Twelve years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience performance training and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelors degree.

• Bachelors degree in Natural Resource Management Biology Environmental Science Fish and Wildlife Science Ecology or a related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in biological fieldwork environmental consulting and project management including development and management of project budgets schedules and scopes of work from project initiation through final deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience authoring or contributing to natural resources technical reports and environmental documentation for a variety of projects agencies and jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in biological resource studies habitat assessments special-status species surveys or related natural resources disciplines.
• Knowledge of applicable federal state and local environmental regulations including the NEPA CEQA and ESA.
• Demonstrated experience supervising mentoring or providing technical direction to professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities solve complex problems exercise sound judgment and drive projects to successful completion.
• Ability to learn and apply company procedures adapt to changing project needs and implement new approaches or techniques as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Natural Resource Management Biology Environmental Science Fish and Wildlife Science Ecology or a related field.
• Minimum twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Advanced expertise in one or more specialized biological resource disciplines such as rare plant identification aquatic resource delineation special-status species subject matter expert or sensitive habitat assessments.
• Experience preparing environmental documentation and permitting materials under NEPA CEQA ESA CWA Coastal Zone Act or related regulatory programs.
• Experience in transportation water and land development is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in business development including client relationship management proposal development and identification of new project opportunities.
• Established professional relationships and experience working with federal state and local regulatory agencies and clients within California and the Western United States.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Half Moon Bay CA-based position is $127196.16 to $166133.76 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience qualifications geographic location and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses. As a 100% employee-owned company we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan 401(k) with profit sharing medical dental and vision coverage paid time off wellness programs and professional development opportunities.

If you need accommodation due to a disability please contact or call 1 . If you require assistance with the application process please contact

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology including AI-assisted tools to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair transparent and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However all application materials assessments and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience skills and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience complete assessments on their behalf or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women minorities veterans and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCAs continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within where possible providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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