Director of Biological Services

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Director of Biological Services in our Northern or Southern California region and join our planning and environmental sciences team in either MIG’s California offices in Riverside, Fullerton, San Diego, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Sacramento, or San Jose.

MIG supports a hybrid work-from-home / remote and in-office schedule, but we encourage in-person work for learning and team-building opportunities.

The person in this position must be able to work from one of the office locations listed above for a portion of each week to conduct in-person training and mentorship, and to attend business development and client meetings.

Responsibilities

Collaborative Teammate and Supervisor : You will work as part of a cross-office, cross-discipline team conducting field surveys, habitat assessments, and technical analyses and preparing / reviewing biological reports and biological resource sections of environmental documents .

This team specializes in finding solutions to complex technical and regulatory environments in planning, design, and management of the built and natural environment.

• Managing Projects : You will provide overarching project direction to MIG staff and oversight of work products; lead internal and external subconsultant and client teams;
• develop and manage projects including scopes of work, budgets, and schedules; conduct and coordinate research and technical studies;
• ensure timely and accurate document production; direct graphical analysis; and maintain project records. In addition, Directors and Project Managers at MIG maintain client relationships;

identify the correct course of action to the client; represent clients at public hearings and meetings; and set the standards for excellence, responsiveness, and accountability.

Project Work : You will be working on consulting projects for cities, counties, regional and local districts, and other public and private-sector clients.

Working both independently and with MIG’s team of biologists and technical experts, you will manage and contribute to the range of work products MIG prepares, including :

• Habitat assessments and site surveys in a variety of ecosystems
• Sensitive and endangered species surveys
• Biological Assessments in support of Biological Opinions
• CEQA / NEPA biological impact analyses
• Caltrans biological documents
• Wetland delineations per federal and California Coastal Commission guidelines, including the arid west requirements
• Preconstruction surveys and biological monitoring
• Biological permit applications and consulting with clients on permit compliance issues
• Habitat conservation plans, natural community protection plans, watershed protection plans
• GIS spatial analysis and mapping for biological assessments and habitat conservation planning

Client Development : You will help build and maintain strong and responsive client relationships by developing leads, preparing proposals, and helping to define market gaps and new opportunities.

Are you ready to apply Make sure you understand all the responsibilities and tasks associated with this role before proceeding.

Leadership Role : Directors at MIG serve as a leader for the firm and group, working together with staff to ensure effective project management;

mentor, supervise and train staff; conduct business development; and keep an eye on MIG’s vision, purpose, and reputation in the professional and regulatory community.

Qualifications

As a successful candidate, you will be able to manage time and competing priorities, think critically and creatively, work as part of a collaborative team, direct and mentor staff, and maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie.

In addition, you have some combination of the following qualifications :

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, or an associated field (a Master’s degree in a complementary field is a plus).
• Relevant experience in environmental consulting, natural resource planning and management, or a closely related field.
• Familiarity with plant species identification using a dichotomous key; California wetland types and state and federal regulatory permitting processes;

aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species identification and habitat assessment in CA; and construction monitoring / management and worker environmental awareness training.

As a plus, you have both field and report experience and professional skills associated with an area of specialty experience (e.

g., jurisdictional waters / wetland delineations, botanical surveys, and / or regional special-status wildlife species)

Knowledge of and experience working with the primary laws (e.g., CESA, ESA, Clean Water Act, CEQA, NEPA) and regulatory agencies (e.

g., CDFW, USFWS, USACE, RWQCB, Coastal Commission) directing the environmental analysis and permitting process in California.

Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, including maintaining compliance with project contracts; drafting and managing scopes, budgets, and schedules;

and working with clients and partners to execute the project work.

• Ability to prepare and deliver effective public presentations, lead working meetings, and speak easily and clearly in client and stakeholder meetings.
• You can actively participate in marketing and business development opportunities, develop proposals for prospective projects, participate in interviews, and develop and maintain potential client and partner relationships.
• You are organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• You have excellent analytical and technical writing skills, including the ability to convey technical information in a clear, concise manner.
• You are an adaptable teammate who is willing to pitch in and help others.
• You are proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro and interested in implementing new analytical tools.

ArcGIS a plus, but not required.

If this position sounds like a fit for your skillsets, and you are passionate about improving the communities and environments in which we recreate, live, and work, we would love to hear from you! Please email your resume and a descriptive cover letter to [email protected] .

MIG values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Our teams enjoy a flexible work schedule, a rewarding work environment, and a creative atmosphere that allows for professional development and career advancement opportunities while promoting team spirit and genuine camaraderie.

We offer a comprehensive benefits program including paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, FSA, and HRA with employer contributions and 401K matching.

This is a full-time, salary exempt position though schedules less than 40 hours / week will be hourly and eligible for overtime.

The pay range for this position is $130,000-$155,000 / year, commensurate with location, skills, experience, and the individual’s ability to bring projects in the door.

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