Senior Biologist and Project Manager

ESA seeks a highly motivated Senior Biologist and Project Manager to join our Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management team.  Our ideal candidate has at least 20 years of experience delivering projects in the Northwest United States. The candidate will have experience developing and implementing wildlife studies, conducting wetland delineations, preparing permitting packages and mitigation strategies, completing environmental documentation for permits in Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states to support consultation with regulatory agencies, and Project Management experience as a consultant. Experience with managing staff level of effort, project budgets, and contract requirements is a must. Experience across multiple markets, including airports and aviation, renewable energy, community development, and transportation, is preferred. This is a full-time position and will consider candidates working between 32 and 40 hours per week (salary will be prorated accordingly).

This individual needs intellectual curiosity and initiative to lead, experience managing projects with complex biological resource issues, and thrives serving in a client-facing role. The candidate will represent clients in agency discussions, 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.

This is a salaried, full-time exempt role. Qualified candidates must be able and willing to work hybrid (1-2 days per month or more) from one of our Northwest office locations including Seattle, Portland, & Bend.  The role is comprised of approximately 30% travel for in-person team collaboration, project visits, and field work as needed, and 70% office work.  

We are interested in proactive candidates who have extensive experience in one or more of the following: Wetland and aquatic resource delineations, wildlife and habitat studies; Endangered Species Act consultations; mitigation planning; client service and project management as a consultant; preparing and reviewing reports and applications for local, state, and federal permits coupled with experience and field work in wetlands, botany, soil science, fisheries biology, wildlife ecology, and habitat restoration ecology. Candidates must have strong technical writing skills and substantial experience preparing environmental documents.     

Who You Are 

• You are a Senior Biologist and Project Manager with a minimum of 20 years of experience with strong communication skills and experience in aquatic resource evaluations, wildlife surveys, project permitting, and project management to join our team and support multiple markets and growth areas. Experience throughout Washington, Oregon, and other Northwest states is required.
• You have demonstrated experience with state and federal agencies such as the USFWS, NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service. Experience with the Federal Aviation Administration is a plus.
• 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 strong interest in business development and have experience acquiring work through your existing network.
• You have served as the primary author on a variety of environmental documents such as Wetland and Stream Reports and Biological Assessments for Endangered Species Act consultations.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills. You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported. 
• You have experience in delivering environmental studies and permits for large linear projects, the transportation sector (roadways, bridges), aviation and airports, and renewable energy projects.  
• You are able to build and maintain client relationships across several markets and geographies.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, exciting, and challenging environment and are able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required.
• You have designed and led field survey efforts and data collection for environmental projects and possess the ability to work with multiple teams and complex schedules.
• You hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree in biology or a related environmental or ecological field. 

What You Will Do for ESA

• As a Senior 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 projects and environmental analyses by coordinating with key team members, including senior staff, subconsultants, and clients. You will produce technical work and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported.
• 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 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. You will serve as field lead or crew member performing field surveys and will be the primary author of environmental documents.    

What’s Special About Our Biological Resources & Land Management Team

Our Biological Resources & Land Management Team includes Wetland Biologists, Fisheries Biologists, Wildlife Ecologists, Environmental Scientists, Conservation/Climate Planning Specialists, and Permitting 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 creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross disciplinary engagement and integration. 

  What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of employee-owners 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 share 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.