As-Needed Field Biologists (Central Coast) at Rincon Consultants

Date: 18 hours ago
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Salary: $32 - $65 per hour
Contract type: Full time
Rincon Consultants is seeking Field Biologists and Botanists to provide as-needed support for projects spanning the Central Coast, from San Mateo to Santa Barbara counties. This is an excellent opportunity for both early-career and experienced biological consultants (2–10+ years) with strong field expertise in Central Coast ecosystems to engage in high-impact work on utility, infrastructure, and development projects.
We welcome candidates at all levels of experience and will adjust responsibilities, project complexity, and compensation accordingly. Senior-level applicants will have opportunities to lead field teams, oversee complex compliance efforts, mentor junior staff, and serve as subject matter experts.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Conduct site assessments, surveys, and habitat evaluations for common and special-status plant and wildlife species and map vegetation communities.
  • Perform biological monitoring and provide compliance support during construction activities, prepare compliance monitoring reports.
  • Identify plant species using a dichotomous key, focusing on Central Coast botany.
  • Map vegetation communities using standard mapping practices and identify sensitive vegetation communities.
  • Survey, monitor, and assess habitats for special-status species, including but not limited to the following:
    • California red-legged frog
    • Foothill yellow-legged frog
    • California tiger salamander
    • Western spadefoot
    • Northwestern and southwestern pond turtles
    • San Francisco garter snake
    • Coho salmon
    • Steelhead
    • Tidewater goby
    • California least tern
    • Western snowy plover
    • Least Bell’s vireo
    • White-tailed kite
    • Northern harrier
    • Burrowing owl
    • Vernal pool branchiopods
    • Monarch butterfly
    • Smith’s blue butterfly
    • Crotch’s bumble bee
    • Regionally occurring special-status plants
  • Prepare preconstruction survey reports and other technical documentation.
  • Track compliance with mitigation measures and permit conditions, maintaining accurate field reports and monitoring logs.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide additional support to the Natural Resources Team as needed.
  • Work independently or as a project/task lead depending on experience.
  • Wetland delineation and regulatory permitting experience is a plus.
This Job Might Be for You If You Have the Following:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
  • 2–5+ years of biological fieldwork required.
  • Expertise in Central Coast ecosystems, including experience with compliance monitoring, habitat assessments, vegetation monitoring, and species-specific surveys.
  • Prior approval through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or California Department of Fish and Wildlife as Designated Biologist, Species Specific Monitor or General Biological Monitor for any of the above listed species is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with federal and state environmental laws, including but not limited to federal and state Endangered Species Acts, and the California Environmental Quality Act, as well as incidental take permits, Clean Water Act permits, Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, regulatory compliance oversight, and development/implementation of mitigation measures.
  • Demonstrated experience with the species listed above, including surveying and monitoring in occupied habitats and securing project approvals is highly desirable.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong technical writing experience preparing field reports, monitoring logs, and preconstruction survey documentation.
  • Ability to hike 6–8 miles per day in often difficult terrain and variable weather conditions while carrying 25 lbs.
  • Ability to work 10–12+ hour days, as needed.
Rincon Consultants is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a ‘Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For’ by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 500+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central, and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base pay for this as-needed position ranges from $32.00–$65.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Entry-level candidates will fall within the lower portion of the range, while more experienced professionals may be considered for higher-level assignments and compensated accordingly. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

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