Program associate Jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 5 years of experience to join our southern California Ecosystems Group by operating out of one of our southern California offices, including but not necessarily limited to: Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Paramount, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Maria, and Ventura. We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in southern California and elsewhere.

As an Associate Biologist with Stantec, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists/ecologists/water resource specialists, and land planning and regulatory experts. This position will include opportunities for both field and office work; it may also involve field work during construction of projects and implementation of ecosystem restoration projects. In this position, you will be relied upon to lead and mentor field teams on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects for diverse clientele and business sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas projects, electric and gas transmission projects, transportation projects, community development projects, and projects for other public and private sector clients.

What You Will Do for Stantec

As an Associate Biologist, you will:

• Lead and mentor project field teams and provide support to project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects.

• Schedule, assist, and/or lead teams for field tasks, as needed, such as special-status species surveys/inventories, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, and compliance monitoring.

• Provide guidance to junior staff, including providing training recommendations, coaching, and mentoring.

• Plan, prepare, and review technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments.

• Work with business development teams to contribute to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) including defining the scope of work, associated cost, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents.

• Assist teams in pursuing and contributing to new business opportunities and effective technical proposals.

• May contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees.

• Under the supervision of senior staff: - Coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of various survey efforts and technical reports.

• Assist with the development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations.

• Have a target 80-85% direct project utilization goal.

• Conduct overnight travel within and outside of southern California.

Qualifications

Your Capabilities and Credentials

You are a biologist or natural resources management specialist; at minimum hold a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field; and have a minimum of 5 years of related experience demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility in conducting biological resources surveys and preparing technical reports. Skills desired include:

• Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi-disciplinary project and field teams.

• Proficient in policies and procedures for Health and Safety, including client-specific training, leading by example, and applying Health and Safety policies and procedures as appropriate to their work.

• Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently and within project scope, budget and schedule expectations.

• Demonstrable background, knowledge, and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of southern California.

• Experience in conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species-specific protocol surveys.

• Experience with and/or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise will be considered a plus.

• Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and or federal Recovery Permit for one or more special-status species will be considered a plus.

• Qualifications and/or experience with being considered a USFWS-approved biologist for one or more federally listed species and/or a CDFW-approved Designated Biologist (DB) will be considered a plus, particularly for desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel.

• Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience in conducting jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations will be considered a plus.

• Possess strong verbal and technical writing skills and have the ability to effectively communicate with team members, junior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies.

• Experience in preparing technical documentation including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports (BRTRs), jurisdictional waters delineations and Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (ARDRs), biological resources sections for CEQA/NEPA documents.

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes, particularly in southern California.

• Ability to prepare or contribute to the preparation of regulatory permit applications such as Clean Water Act Section 404/401, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, federal/state Incidental Take Permits (ITPs).

• Experience in compliance monitoring, environmental training, interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post-construction monitoring/reporting on small to large projects.

• Proficient in MS Office applications.

• Experience with using GPS/GIS technology (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, Online, and/or Field Maps) to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters.

• Must have ability to travel.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record.

• OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment

Education and Experience

BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather. Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

#StayInquisitive

Pay Range:

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas-$80,300.00 - $116,500.00 Annually

• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas-$86,100.00 - $125,000.00 Annually

Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements

Primary Location: United States | CA | Los Angeles
Other Locations: United States | CA | Santa Maria
Organization: BC-1858 EnvSvcs-US West S California
Employee Status: Regular
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 23/06/2026 09:06:32
Req ID: 1006431

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.