Senior Consultant, Scientist

As part of the continued growth and innovation of our dynamic Impact Assessment & Planning service, ERM has an opportunity for an experienced Biologist , looking to join our thriving global consulting firm as a senior biologist in  Northern California . Primarily this position will provide biological expertise and leadership for large-scale utility projects in northern California (the location for this position is negotiable, but ideally northern California). We seek an individual to join the ERM’s planning, biological and environmental compliance team for an ongoing contract with a large California utility to support their Vegetation Management operations and maintenance activities.

The ideal candidate will be an environmental professional with a wide breadth of experience of wildlife, plants and habitats in central and northern California. Furthermore, they will have proven leadership, project management, organization and communication skills. The candidate will have excellent technical writing skills and knowledge of environmental regulations and policies such as ESA, CESA and the California Coastal Act. They will also have subject matter expertise in special-status plants and animals.

The biologist must be able to work well with others as part of a collaborative, and dynamic team of environmental professionals. This is primarily a desk-based role, with opportunities for occasional fieldwork.

ERM’S IMPACT ASSESSMENT & PLANNING SERVICE :

ERM’s Impact Assessment & Planning (IAP) team focuses on supporting development of projects in the power, technology, oil and gas, mining, chemical, transport, and infrastructure sectors. Our goal is always the same : assisting our clients in achieving project success, from planning through construction and operation, while minimizing sustainability risks and maximizing project speed and adaptability.

ERM’s IAP service offering has been ERM’s highest growth area globally, growing over 20% per year for the past 5 years. You will become part of a vibrant technical community with more than 1,000 IAP professionals globally, representing the full range of technical disciplines, with sector experience across the board. What ERM’s team is best known for is supporting some of the most challenging development projects in the world. It is this reputation that attracts and retains the highly skilled consultants who comprise ERM’s Impact Assessment & Planning team.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

Lead on preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents, ESA Biological Assessments, CDFW 1602 permits, and more.

Responsible for ensuring project compliance with environmental regulations and permitting requirements.

Review Biological Resource Assessments.

Mentor early career scientists and provide technical QA / QC assistance on deliverables.

Prepare proposals, including development of scopes and cost estimates, and participate in business development with existing clients.

Adhere to scope / budget / schedule expectations and ensure quality standards on project deliverables and timely delivery of reports.

Build strong collaborative relationships with clients and other ERM employees.

Other assigned duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS :

Bachelors in a biological science, ecology, natural science, environmental science, related subject.

4+ years in environmental consulting / experience of biota in Northern California.

Expertise with federal and state regulations including California Coastal Act, CESA, ESA and / or CEQA, and environmental assessments.

Technical expertise in environmental permitting.

Technical writing and analysis skills

Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment

Positive outlook, self-starter, who has a collaborative work ethic.

Strong commitment to safety, including following established health and safety protocols.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

PREFERRED :

Masters in a biological science, ecology, natural science, environmental science, related subject.

Prior experience in the power sector.

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.