HELIX is seeking a team oriented and motivated Biology Assistant Project Manager with critical thinking skills and a strong work ethic, to join one of our Southern California office locations (La Mesa, Carlsbad, Irvine, or Pasadena). HELIX supports a hybrid work environment that balances the ability to work in the office and from home, when needed, with the greatest emphasis on maintaining employee safety and wellbeing. HELIX provides CEQA/NEPA, biological, cultural resource management, habitat restoration, regulatory permitting, environmental compliance monitoring, acoustics and noise control, GIS, and air quality and greenhouse gas services to both the public and private sectors.

The Biology Assistant Project Manager responsibilities include assisting HELIX project managers and senior biologists, as well as leading day-to-day project management tasks for biological resources-related projects. Typical biological resource projects include due diligence assessments, constraints studies, biological technical reports, regulatory permitting, and environmental compliance monitoring. The Biology Assistant Project Manager will attend meetings with HELIX project managers and senior biologists and assist with action items, client communication, and developing solutions to biological challenges and issues. The position will support technical writing of reports, plans, proposals, augments, and other project deliverables and will need to maintain organization of project details, schedule, staffing, and budgets. The Biology Assistant Project Manager may also be required to conduct biological fieldwork on occasion; however, primary responsibilities are not fieldwork related.

The ideal candidate must possess strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills because critical aspects of this position include developing solutions for project challenges, as well as forging strong, collaborative relationships and building consensus among team members, staff, clients, and agencies.  A flexible mindset, adaptability to changing circumstances as well as demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills are imperative for this role.  Proven ability to complete projects and project tasks within time and budget constraints is also required.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Managing complex biological resources-related projects
• Leading biological due diligence assessments, biological constraints studies, biological technical reports, regulatory permit applications, and agency negotiation during the environmental review and permitting process.
• Developing solutions to complex biological issues
• Coordinating with clients and regulatory agencies on mitigation strategies
• Leading proposals, interviews, and business development activities for the biology division
• Provide technical direction and strategic solutions for challenging biological and regulatory issues
• Assist with mentoring biology staff on project management and developing solutions for challenging biological and regulatory issues
• Proactively manage all projects to obtain results on-time and on-budget
• Assist with providing QA/QC of technical documents and proposals
• Coordinate with team members from other departments to develop proposals and implement projects

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), preferably in an environmental science, biology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience (outside of academic requirements) in the environmental field assisting with task implementation for terrestrial biological resources, natural resources, or other similar projects OR a Master’s degree in a related field with three years of relevant experience.
• Possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated knowledge of vegetation communities, species, and other terrestrial biological resources (plants, animals, wetlands, etc.) of Southern California.
• Experience with terrestrial biological resources related field data collection methods and equipment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel

Additional Qualifications Considered a Plus 

• Master’s degree or higher in Biology, Natural Resources, or related field.
• Experience working as a biological consultant in Southern California.
• Experience with regulatory permitting in California with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Experience preparing biological technical reports and related CEQA reports in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and/or San Bernardino Counties.
• Experience mentoring/leading less experienced biologists.

Salary

Hourly wages will be based on qualifications and/or experience, with a robust benefits package. Expected starting pay range of $34.00 to $37.00 per hour.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates must apply online through Paylocity with a resume and cover letter. Begin by clicking “Apply Now” below.