Environmental Project Manager/Biologist

Environmental Project Manager

Harris is a 100% employee-owned company focused on solving today's complex challenges in planning, design, and construction of public infrastructure. Our offices and project sites span the West Coast in California, Nevada, and Washington with a staff of over 200 employee-owners. We focus on serving clients in the municipal, water, transportation, and education markets.

If you're a driven professional looking for a collaborative environment, work that makes a difference, and a firm that invests heavily in your growth, you could be a perfect fit for Harris & Associates.

Harris is looking for an Environmental Project Manager, with a focus on the Biological Sciences, to join our team on Construction Package 1 (CP1) for the California High Speed Rail (HSR) project. Harris is one-half of the Wong-Harris joint venture serving as the Project Construction Manager (PCM) for CP1. This position will heighten environmental compliance and reduce exposure. The successful candidate will provide project management for the administration of additional environmental services son non-operational rights-of-way (ROW) parcels to ensure compliance with permits. Targeting someone with a background in macro biology, planning or the biological sciences.

• Act as the liaison between the California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Right‐of‐Way Division, Authority Environmental Division, the Design Builder (i.e. Contractor), applicable local/state/federal agencies, and PCM, coordinating activities between, and providing availability to the various parties, as appropriate.
• Reinforce and update crews on safety protocols, review and request revisions to the Worker Environmental Awareness Program (when deemed necessary) plan resources and assign work priority based on input from the Authority, evaluation of sites, and the delivery schedule.
• Begin immediate deployment of lead field specialists such as, biologists and archaeologists to conduct pre‐activity surveys, stormwater and hazardous waste specialists, paleontological monitors, and schedule monitoring synched with the construction, maintenance, and auditing schedule.
• Ensure the construction activities follow proper Avoidance and Mitigation Measures and committed Mitigation Reporting Plans. Facilitate Work Shops, internal training, and coordination meetings with the Design Builder to ensure compliance with the appropriate PLACs.
• Provide Quality Assurance of required report submittals to the Authority’s electronic reporting system (EMMA), review monthly and annual compliance reports, review Environmental Certifications as necessary, assist with fulfilling requirements for the Environmental Quality Milestone Data Packs for affected areas as necessary, track work progression and maintain budget requirements.
• Provide the Authority with financial updates, forecasts and monitoring.
• Schedule and lead meetings, plan for and develop project deliverables, oversee work prepared by others, and conduct other necessary activities to meet client project needs.
• Coach and mentor staff working on the project.
• Other professional services related to CP1 of the HSR project, as needed.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the scientific/natural resources field including the preparation of regulatory documents, with at least 2 years of progressive project management experience
• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, urban/environmental planning or related field. An advanced degree (Masters) in any of these areas is desirable but not required.
• Evidence of continuing education in federal, state and local environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of CEQA and NEPA statutes, guidelines, case law and related activities and analysis.
• Applied knowledge and demonstrated experience with other federal and state environmental laws and regulatory requirements, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
• Applied knowledge and demonstrated experience with developing and coordinating permit applications and/or amendments and construction notifications for United States Army Corps of Engineers 404 permitting, Regional Water Quality Control Board 401 permit, CDFW 2081 and  Master Streambed Alteration Agreements, USFWS/NMFS Biological Opinion.
• Applied knowledge and demonstrated experience with coordinating specific species protocol survey plans appropriate for those surveyed in the project area (such as Burrowing Owl, Swainson’s Hawk, California Tiger Salamader, etc.) and  experience surveying/monitoring for those species identified in the Authority’s take permits.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to facilitate timely communication to various project parties.
• Ability to take initiative to resolve conflicts that arise during the project with internal team and subconsultants, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish the work.
• Manage one’s own time and the time of others to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task and change priorities quickly.
• Experience working with the Authority and regulatory agencies preferred.
• Valid Driver's License with satisfactory driving record required