[Hiring] Senior Wetland Permitting Biologist @Dudek

Role Description

Dudek is currently seeking a full-time experienced Biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will help grow Dudek’s biological resources; manage and implement a wide variety of projects involving sensitive biological resources, with a focus on supporting aquatic resource permitting; and work collaboratively with other Dudek staff based out of our northern and southern California offices. This position will be a mix of technical writing, project management, and on occasion, field-based work in California.

• Independently manage moderately complex permitting tasks and small-to-mid scale projects, including scheduling, budgeting, client coordination, and quality control.
• Leads in the preparation and management of Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit applications, including Individual Permits, Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits for moderately complex projects.
• Leads in the preparation and management of CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements applications with the State Water Resources Control Board and applicable Regional Water Quality Control Boards for moderately complex projects.
• Leads in preparation and management of California Department of Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alterations Agreement applications, including submittal and tracking via EPIMS for moderately complex projects.
• Responds to information requests from agencies, negotiates permit conditions and supports agency consultation and site visits for moderately complex projects.
• Coordinates with agencies on routine matters; but escalates complex issues to senior regulatory specialist staff appropriately.
• Applies established agency guidance and regulatory frameworks to project work; seeks input on complex interpretations.
• Prepares and oversees preparation of Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports.
• Mentors junior and mid-level staff and assist in building staff proficiency in practice-wide technical skills related to permitting.
• Leads pre-application meetings for simple to moderately complex projects with agencies and assists senior regulatory specialist staff on pre-application meetings for highly complex projects.
• Leads proposal preparation for small to mid-sized projects, including drafting technical sections and supporting preparation of scopes and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in biological resource consulting (or equivalent experience in a regulatory agency setting) with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proven experience managing permitting tasks or projects, including client communication, deliverable oversight, budgeting support, invoicing, scheduling, task tracking and general team coordination.
• Knowledge and understanding of field and data analysis techniques used to map and assess wetland and water features potentially jurisdictional under the federal Clean Water Act and state regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes, regulations, and permitting requirements relating to aquatic resources, in particular, the federal Clean Water Act.
• Attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated skill in interpreting agency guidance.
• Good judgment and sound decision-making skills.
• Willingness to travel for work, including overnight stays in hotels.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and data collection methodology.
• Ability to influence/negotiate with agencies and engages with senior regulatory specialist staff on high‑stakes interpretations.
• Expert-level knowledge of California aquatic resource types and systems.
• Strong customer service emphasis and solution-oriented project delivery approach.

Working Conditions

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
• Employees must be capable of bending, squatting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 35 lbs. unassisted; 50lbs in a team lift (two or more employees).
• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others. Speaking, hearing and listening are required.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.