Senior Biologist Project Manager – Utilities

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600 professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in the transportation energy water infrastructure private development and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities infrastructure and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization we value collaboration fairness and transparency. We are committed to fostering a workplace that supports personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work certification which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and team member experiences.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Biologist / Project Manager to join our Utilities program and support environmental review biological resource analysis permitting and regulatory compliance for electric utility and transmission projects.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys managing technical and permitting assignments navigating Californias regulatory environment and collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will manage small-to-moderate projects or defined components of larger efforts while remaining engaged in technical work and supporting the development of junior staff.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate connect with teammates and partner with clients and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office.

Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad Fresno Los Angeles Monterey Oakland Palm Springs Riverside Sacramento San Luis Obispo San Diego San Jose Santa Barbara and Ventura.

What Youll Do

Technical Work and Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare and review biological and environmental deliverables including:Biological Resource Assessments CEQA and NEPA biological analyses aquatic resource delineations and permit applications feasibility studies and biological constraints analyses

• Conduct or manage fieldwork such as wetland delineations special-status species surveys biological monitoring and restoration projects.

• Coordinate technical studies and review analyses for consistency with project permitting and compliance requirements.

• Interpret and apply relevant local state and federal regulations including CEQA NEPA the Clean Water Act ESA CESA and the California Coastal Act.

• Collaborate with clients regulatory agencies technical specialists and multidisciplinary project teams to support efficient and defensible project delivery.

• Follow established QA/QC processes and help maintain technical quality across work products.

Project Management and Client Support

• Manage small-to-moderate biological assessment permitting and compliance projects or defined components of larger utility projects.

• Develop and manage project scopes schedules budgets and deliverables.

• Serve as a day-to-day contact for clients and regulatory agencies on assigned projects.

• Identify permitting needs regulatory risks and biological constraints and elevate complex issues as appropriate.

• Coordinate the work of project team members and subcontractors.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff.

• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining clear communication and consistent follow-through.

Business Development

• Contribute to client outreach proposal preparation and project cost and schedule development.

• Support efforts to identify and pursue opportunities with utility clients.

• Provide technical and project delivery input for proposals and client discussions.
  

What Youll Bring

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology Ecology Environmental Science or a related field.

• 6 years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility across technical work permitting project management and client support.

• Experience preparing and reviewing Biological Resource Assessments and CEQA and/or NEPA biological analyses.

• Working knowledge of Californias regulatory environment and key state and federal permitting programs including CWA Sections 401 and 404 incidental take permits streambed alteration agreements and biological opinions.

• Experience within the following disciplines: regulatory permitting and compliance botanical and wildlife surveys and aquatic resource delineations.

• Experience managing project scopes schedules budgets and deliverables.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with clients agencies technical teams and project partners.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a collaborative consulting environment.

Nice to Have

• Direct experience supporting electric utility or transmission projects in California.

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $90000$115000 plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidates job-related knowledge skills and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being growth and financial security. Our benefits provide flexibility and choice including health coverage options employer-sponsored insurance retirement benefits generous time off and programs that support learning growth and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture benefits and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana) in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit competence performance and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion marital status age national origin ancestry physical or mental disability medical condition pregnancy genetic information gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression veteran status or any other status protected under federal state or local law.