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Senior Wildlife Ecologist

H. T. Harvey & Associates, an ecological consulting firm based in Northern California, is looking for a senior wildlife ecologist for a full-time project management position in our San Francisco Bay Area office (Los Gatos, Santa Clara County).
 
What you’ll do
Our wildlife ecology team is a local industry leader known for our ecological expertise and high standard of excellence. As a project manager, you will have the opportunity to apply your expertise as the lead biologist on projects, helping to develop solutions to environmental challenges in the greater San Francisco Bay area. The work will require local species expertise, a strong background in regulatory issues, and solid report-writing skills. Successful project managers apply critical thinking to develop a project-specific approach, and possess a high level of personal organization. A number of our clients seek our expertise with the goal of going above and beyond project requirements, giving us the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit the environment. In addition, you will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects involving other H. T. Harvey & Associates ecologists (restoration, plant, and fisheries) as well as landscape architects, and you will manage and train our fun and capable team of wildlife staff. Externally, you will also be a liaison with clients, project team members, and agency contacts and work on proposals and business development efforts. 
 
What are some of the typical projects that the wildlife group works on?
Our mission is to create ecologically sound solutions to our clients’ complex natural resource challenges. Typical projects you would manage include:
  • NEPA/CEQA documentation for local agency projects, development projects located in sensitive areas, and projects with unique or challenging issues (e.g., related to wetlands, riparian setbacks, bird-safe design, and endangered or sensitive wildlife species)
  • Federal and California Endangered Species Act consultations
  • Compliance support, including providing recommendations to minimize constraints on project activities; coordinating and conducting pre-activity surveys as well as Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan applications and surveys; coordinating compliance with avoidance and minimization measures from project permits (including surveys, environmental training sessions, construction monitoring, etc.); and drafting compliance documentation
  • Assessment of biological constraints to proposed projects, including potential mitigation measures that may be necessary under CEQA or conditions of anticipated permits or Endangered Species Act approvals
  • Bird-safe design assessments – assess the potential for avian collision risk with project buildings, provide design assistance to minimize collision risk, and develop bird-safe design measures to reduce impacts and comply with any bird-safe design requirements
  • Mitigation and monitoring plans - work closely with our restoration ecologists to develop wildlife management and monitoring methods, success criteria, and avoidance and minimization measures
  • Natural resource management plans – incorporate wildlife issues into plans that describe the long-term management and monitoring of conservation lands
  • Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan development, documentation, and coverage applications
 
Who works at H. T. Harvey & Associates?  
Our wildlife team leaders have been performing research and working with clients in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than three decades and have unparalleled expertise with the region’s species, habitats, regulatory environment, and habitat plans. A position working for H. T. Harvey & Associates is for those who strive for excellence in their everyday work, science, and long-term careers and for those who are interested in continually improving their scientific knowledge, learning from others, and collaborating with experts in other fields of ecology. At H. T. Harvey & Associates we prioritize the quality of our work, employee health and safety, and the goals and professional development of each team member.
 
If you are excited about this opportunity and meet the requirements below, we look forward to learning more about your ecological expertise and project management skills during the application process!
 
Required Skills and Experience 
  • Academic background (Ph.D. or M.S. preferred) in biological studies, natural resources, wildlife management, wildlife biology, or an equivalent subject
  • A minimum of 5 years of applicable professional experience in biological/ecological consulting or with a regulatory agency, ideally in California  
  • At least 1 year of professional managerial responsibility
  • Prior work authoring and editing technical reports, with demonstrated exceptional writing ability (e.g., via transcripts, personal references, or a submitted writing sample)
  • Mastery of key project management skills including personal organization, ability to coordinate multiple projects, critical thinking skills, and team communications
  • A curiosity about the natural world that includes ongoing development in local wildlife ecology and your area of expertise 
  • Ideal candidates would have experience with special-status species in the greater San Francisco Bay area (or are highly motivated to learn about those species), CEQA/NEPA documentation, and FESA and CESA consultations
 
This position requires the future employee to:
  • Hold a valid driver’s license with no major traffic violations or multiple minor violations
  • Occasionally work nights, weekends, and early morning hours when needed
  • Walk over varied terrain for surveys
  • Occasionally work in inclement weather when needed
  • Follow best practices for field safety
 
How to apply
Interested candidates should respond by submitting a cover letter, resume, and academic transcripts through our applicant portal.

Hit the “Apply” button, complete the requested information, and submit a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and references.

About H. T. Harvey & Associates
Since 1970, the highly trained ecologists and professionals at H. T. Harvey & Associates have delivered exceptional consulting services to public agencies, private entities, and nonprofit organizations. The expertise of our staff encompasses a wide range of biological and design disciplines required to perform high-quality work on ecological projects. Our senior scientists average 25 years of experience in their respective disciplines, many recognized leaders in their fields. Collectively, we have published more than 500 peer-reviewed scientific research papers on a wide variety of subjects.  We hire people who strive to be the best in their fields, and we provide training, support, and work opportunities to grow their expertise.

Our employment package includes a competitive salary as well as medical, dental, and life insurance coverage and a 401(k) with a generous employer match. Project managers and other senior staff are part of a robust managerial bonus program.

H. T. Harvey & Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. We encourage people of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. 

We have cultivated excellence in our staff and work in pursuit of our mission to create ecologically sound solutions to our clients’ complex natural resource challenges for more than 50 years.