Entry-Level Biologist

Title:  Entry-level Biologist

Location: Irvine, CA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

What’s the Opportunity?

An Entry-level 1 biologist with 1 to 3 years of experience preparing biological resources-related documentation to support compliance with federal and state regulations, permitting, or environmental compliance during construction. The Entry-level biologist will have expertise in aquatic and fisheries sciences and be responsible for participating in planning for and conducting field work (e.g. water quality monitoring, marine mammal monitoring), preparing drafts of biological-resources components of regulatory permitting strategies as well as biological resources documentation for shoreline and water resources projects in California. This is an opportunity to be part of a growing team and to help build the natural resources program within California.

Responsibilities:

• Develop regulatory permitting and environmental documentation for complex projects to support compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act, California Endangered Species Act, California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code.
• Participate in the development of biological resources impact evaluations, including the development of mitigation measures, in support of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation.
• Conduct field surveys or monitoring, potentially including wetland delineations, botanical surveys, special-status species surveys, water quality monitoring, fisheries sampling, marine mammal and bird monitoring, or other efforts.
• Work as an integral part of Anchor QEA’s Planning and Restoration team to support projects throughout the West Coast and across all company market sectors.
• Ability to travel for field projects and meetings up to 20% of the time, depending on project needs, including for site visits to project locations, field surveys or assessments, or for client or regulatory agency meetings.

What Are We Looking For?

Ideal candidates will have the following:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in fish or wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources management, environmental science, or related discipline (a Masters level degree is preferred).
• Experience: 1 to 3 years+ in fish or wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources management, and/or environmental science. Experience working in coastal environments or with water resources is preferred as is experience managing projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational, schedule and budget management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills are required including proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Standard biological data analysis skills, literature research, and experience with applicable datasets and online tools to conduct biological impact evaluations, including a general understanding of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) bioacoustics thresholds and impact assessment procedures.
• Experience in environmental consulting is preferred.

What Can You Expect?

A collaborative work environment where we encourage everyone to bring their authentic self. We offer competitive compensation and benefits which are detailed below.  

Who Are We?

Anchor QEA is an environmental science and engineering consulting firm that is focused on improving the environment and our communities by solving challenging problems. We employ more than 400 people in offices around the United States. Our vision is for a growing company that is our clients’ first choice for solving their most challenging problems and our employees’ first choice as a company where they want to work.  Learn more about Anchor QEA at www.anchorqea.com

How to Apply?

Apply online through Anchor QEA’s Open Positions page at https://www.anchorqea.com/careers/careers-open-positions/.  Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, Anchor QEA is committed to a diverse, multi-cultural work environment. Anchor QEA does not discriminate in employment based on age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Salary and Other Compensation:

• Salary Range: $69,000 - $79,000 annually 
• Annual Bonus
• Other potential bonus types: Billable Time Bonus, Spot Bonus, Milestone Anniversary Bonus, Receiving Professional License/Certification Bonus, Peer-reviewed Publication Bonus, Employee Referral Bonus.

Base Level Benefits for Regular Full-Time Positions:

• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability programs.
• Paid Company and Floating Holidays: 7 paid company and 2 floating holidays annually
• Vacation: 2 weeks accrued paid vacation based on length of service.  Vacation may vary by level.
• Sick and Safe Time: 80 hours annually
• Retirement Plan: 401k plan with an employer match
• Further information on benefits: https://anchorqea.com/careers/benefits/