Senior Natural Resources/Biology Project Manager

About This Role

Lead complex natural resources impact assessment, permitting, and regulatory compliance for energy projects in California and the Southwest US. This role involves full project lifecycle management, agency coordination, technical expertise, and business development.

Responsibilities

• Lead natural resource compliance strategy for energy projects across the full project lifecycle: routing/siting, environmental impact assessments, permitting and construction compliance
• Serve as the primary client contact and agency liaison, engaging and negotiating permitting pathways with USACE, USFWS, BLM, state wildlife agencies, and local jurisdictions
• Prepare, submit, and track reports and related permit applications and agency consultations associated with local, state and federal regulations
• Identify potential project risks and negotiate complex permit conditions and mitigation strategies with agencies and stakeholders
• Manage technical and field teams (including subconsultants) related to biological studies, and associated task/project budgets, schedules, and QA/QC processes
• Drive business development: identify opportunities, proposal strategy and writing, participate in interviews, and support account growth
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level biologists
• Oversight and coordination of project task deliverables, including subconsultant partners
• Develop and implement day-to-day routines for a team
• Develop staff skills and empower them as problem-solvers to boost innovation and productivity

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in biological resources studies and environmental permitting for energy/transmission infrastructure projects
• Proven expertise with environmental impacts analysis, siting/routing studies, CEQA/ NEPA documentation, and agency (BLM, USFWS, USACE) engagement
• Experience involving federal and state Endangered Species Act, and state and federal jurisdictional waters assessments, permitting and mitigation strategy
• Strong project management skills with a successful track record of overseeing and delivering multiple complex natural resource based projects
• Excellent writing skills with proven ability to author, manage and review permit applications and technical reports
• Demonstrated success in business development, forecasting and client relationship management within an environmental consulting setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to present at public hearings, agency, and stakeholder meetings
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
• Ability to travel (up to 25%) to project sites, GAI office locations, business development events/conferences, stakeholder events, agency hearings, and client meetings
• Maintain a valid driver’s license
• Strong organizational and analytical skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a closely related discipline
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in biological resources studies and environmental permitting for energy/transmission infrastructure projects, with at least 4 years as a Senior Task/Project Manager

Nice to Have

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resources, or a closely related discipline
• Experience with energy projects on both public and private lands, and associated permitting and environmental review in the Southwestern US
• Strong knowledge of California and/or Southwest US flora and fauna, especially special-status species
• Well experienced with natural resources impact assessment, permitting, and compliance in California (CDFW, CESA, Section 401/1600 permitting)
• Established working relationships with USACE, USFWS, BLM, and state agencies

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits