Senior Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager

ESA is looking for a Senior Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager with a minimum of 10 years of experience working on projects in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The ideal candidate will have experience developing and implementing wildlife studies, preparing permitting and mitigation strategies, preparing environmental documentation for permits in Washington and Oregon, supporting consultation with regulatory agencies, and project management. Experience with managing task level and project level budgets and contracted level of effort is a must. Experience on energy transmission and/or renewable energy projects is preferred. We are seeking a highly motivated biologist with the intellectual curiosity and initiative to lead, who has managed projects with complex biological resource issues, and thrives serving in a role managing projects and clients. The candidate will represent clients in agency discussions, will plan and direct surveys, mentor and develop staff, and pursue and win new contracts. This is a senior-level opportunity in our Biological Resources Team and is focused on collaboration, quality, outstanding client service, and being part of a team with a passion to do great work and have fun together.

Who You Are

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  You are a Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager with a minimum of 10 years of experience with strong communication skills and experience in wildlife surveys, project permitting, and project management to join our team and primarily support renewable energy generation and transmissionprojects. Your wildlife biology expertise includes the ability to identify local birds and fauna, conduct nesting bird surveys, document wildlife observations in accordance with the requirements of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

  
  
• You also have demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service.
• Experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and working with Washington's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is a plus.
• You have technical expertise and experience in at least several of the following: development and implementation of wildlife studies, terrestrial mitigation planning, energy facility siting and constraints studies, regulatory permitting, compliance monitoring and reporting, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental effects assessment, and agency interactions at all levels including WDFW and ODFW.
• You have experience managing projects throughout all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction.
• You have experience managing large, complex projects and meeting milestones within schedule and budget expectations, as well as competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight.
• You value a strong project management and client focused culture.
• You have experience in both Washington and Oregon; experience in the eastern portion of these states is highly desired. You perform occasional field survey work, safely operate, load, and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. Experience with digital field data collection tools such as GPS, ArcGIS Collector/Field Maps, Fulcrum, Survey 123 is desired, but not required.
• You have an interest in business development and have experience acquiring work through your existing network.

• You can work full-time or hybrid in either our ESASeattle or Portland office.

What You Will Do for ESA

• As a Wildlife Biologist and Project Manager, you will apply your technical and project management skills to natural resources projects. You will serve as a technical specialist, preparing and managing complex wildlife and environmental analyses and coordinating with key team members, including senior staff, subconsultants, and clients.
• You will produce technical work (as primary author and co-author) and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported. Occasional fieldwork is also required.
• You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for leading large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary development projects. In this capacity you will be responsible for managing scope, schedule, and budget, working closely with project teams to navigate permitting challenges and meeting client needs.
• You will also take the initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively, lead and advise on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
• You will lead and support business and client development efforts collaboratively with other leaders focused on business development including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal/interview teams. These efforts will include having the responsibility for preparing scopes of work and budgets.
• You will be committed to treating people respectfully and equitably. You will work collaboratively with teams and clients and you will consistently demonstrate attentive listening skills. You will communicate constructively and work cooperatively to solve project and team challenges.
• You will provide mentorship and support for junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.

What's Special About Our Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management Team

Our Biology team includes Wetland Biologists, Fisheries Biologists, Environmental Scientists, and Conservation/Climate Planning Specialists who provide expertise for many agencies in Washington, Oregon and across the Northwest. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens. We value integrity, creative thinking, teamwork, clear communication, and multi-disciplinary engagement and integration. To read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed, check out this link:https://esassoc.com/projects/

What's Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.