Biologist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

At GPA Consulting we pride ourselves in providing high-quality professional services to public and private clients throughout California, while maintaining a friendly and flexible workplace environment. GPA is currently seeking field biologists to conduct biological monitoring of construction activities, biological surveys, assist with technical reports and documents, and provide field and office support to our team of biologists in northern and southern California.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The ideal candidate will:

• Prepare biological technical reports to support NEPA/CEQA;
• Conduct biological monitoring of construction sites to ensure environmental compliance;
• Conduct thorough biological surveys of project sites, often in remote locations, based on relevant NEPA/CEQA, USFWS, and CDFW guidelines;
• Maintain appropriate permits and licenses, including state collecting permit;
• Document field findings in monitoring logs, reports or email communications, as appropriate;
• Communicate with client field contacts and GPA senior biologists; and
• Travel for multiple consecutive days to field sites throughout California.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A BA/BS in Biology, Ecology, or related discipline;
• At least 2 years’ experience performing biological fieldwork, including surveys, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and monitoring of environmental compliance for construction projects in California;
• Basic botanical knowledge;
• Knowledge of natural communities of California;
• Avian nest monitoring and species identification skills;
• Experience conducting work in active construction sites and communicating with operators;
• Understanding of Geographic Information Systems mapping and analysis in the context of biological resources studies;
• Navigate and collect data using a GPS device;
• Working knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to biological resources, including (but not limited to) the National Environmental Policy Act, Federal Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and California Fish and Game Code;

ADDITIONAL SKILLS DESIRED:

• Ability to conduct special-status species protocol surveys;
• Proficient in conducting avian, aquatic and/or other specialized wildlife surveys;
• Experienced in botanical surveys and strong working botanical identification;
• Techniques and methods of evaluation of environmental impacts; and
• Intermediate or advanced nest surveying, active nest monitoring, and buffer establishment.

TECHNICAL ABILITY:

The ideal candidate will:

• Conduct all work in a responsible and ethical manner;
• Be highly self-motivated and productive;
• Be detail oriented and accurate;
• Possess strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities;
• Work effectively and cooperatively both as an individual and in a team setting;
• Possess strong oral communication skills;
  
• Possess strong technical writing and analysis skills; and
• Possess strong organizational and computer skills (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Powerpoint, ArcGIS).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel by air or car, with overnight stays over multiple consecutive days;
• Must be able to work long hours (10 to 12 hours a day), outdoors;
• Must be able to respond timely to deployment requests (sometimes the next day);
• Sufficient physical ability to walk more than 5 miles on uneven terrain, and lift at least 25 pounds;
• Must be able to work in inclement weather;
• Must have a valid drivers license and good driving record; and
• Must be able to telecommute until offices can reopen safely.

*We respectfully ask that you do not contact employees of GPA through social media. If you have a question about the position, you can call our main line and ask for the hiring manager. 310-792-2690.

*GPA Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate anyone based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. Further, GPA does not discriminate based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.