Mid-Level Biologist

Title: Mid-Level Biologist

Location: CA-Sacramento

Location(s): Sacramento / Auburn, CA
Practice/Department: Biology
Internal Title: Biologist III
Work Environment: Hybrid
Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 annually*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are
As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.
Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact
Dudek is currently seeking a full-time mid-level Biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will help grow Dudek’s biological resources practice locally in Sacramento and the surrounding area; manage and implement a wide variety of projects involving sensitive biological resources, with a focus on botanical surveys and aquatic resource delineations; and work collaboratively with other Dudek staff based out of our northern and southern California offices. This position will necessitate both in-office and field-based work out of Dudek’s Sacramento or Auburn office.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead collection of detailed field data, work in remote field locations, hike steep slopes over uneven terrain, and work full days in all types of weather, including but not limited to the following tasks:
  • Lead aquatic resource delineations.
  • Identify California flora to species and subspecies or variety.
  • Lead field surveys for rare, threatened, and endangered plants and wildlife; and
  • Lead vegetation surveys, invasive plant surveys, and habitat assessments; and,
• Manage multidisciplinary biological tasks and small-to-mid scale projects, including scheduling, budgeting, client coordination, and quality control.
• Prepare and oversee preparation of reports summarizing methodology, field survey results and recommendations.

• Prepare and oversee preparation Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports.
• Prepare and oversee preparation of documents supporting environmental permit applications and CEQA/NEPA biological evaluations; and
• Lead or assist in resource agency permitting, depending on level of complexity; an
• Serve as a mentor to junior to lower mid-level staff and assist in building proficiency of technical skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in biological resource consulting (or equivalent experience in a regulatory agency setting) with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proven experience managing biological tasks or projects, including client communication, deliverable oversight, and team coordination.
• Knowledge and understanding of field and data analysis techniques used to map and assess wetland and water features potentially jurisdictional under the federal Clean Water Act, California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code.
• Knowledge and understanding of special-status plant species, vegetation communities, and sensitive vegetation resources that occur in Sacramento and the surrounding counties.
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes, regulations, and permitting requirements relating to biological resources, in particular, the federal Clean Water Act, state and federal Endangered Species Acts, California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with and experience using MS Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel for work, including over-night stays in hotels.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• Demonstrated experience with management of projects involving biological impact analyses, special-status species, and mitigation planning.
• Expert-level knowledge of California aquatic resource types and systems.
• Proficient in wildlife identification and impact evaluation skills throughout California.
• Strong customer service emphasis and solution-oriented project delivery approach.
• Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Exercises good judgment and sound decision-making skills.

Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 annually*
*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions:
Environment

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• This job will require occasional project site visits or surveys, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
• Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Conducting biological fieldwork in variable and sometimes rugged terrain, often under adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain).
• Walking long distances, kneeling, stooping, or crouching for extended periods of time.
• Carrying equipment and field gear weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Working in proximity to insects, wildlife, and potentially hazardous environments (e.g., wetlands, uneven ground).
• The ability to drive a vehicle long distance to and from remote field sites, sometimes requiring early start times or extended days.

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.