Associate Biologist

📋 Description

• • Join Montrose Environmental Group, Inc., a global leader in environmental services, and contribute your expertise to protecting vital coastal and aquatic resources.
• • This Associate Scientist – Regulatory Specialist role offers a unique opportunity to advance your career within a collaborative and technically excellent environmental consulting firm, with the flexibility of remote work, though proximity to Southern California is preferred.
• • As a senior technical contributor, you will play a pivotal role in supporting and leading complex permitting projects, working hand-in-hand with Principals, Senior Associates, clients, and diverse multidisciplinary teams.
• • Your primary focus will be to provide critical technical expertise, effectively manage discrete permitting tasks, and drive projects forward through rigorous regulatory review processes.
• • You will be instrumental in supporting and leading key components of environmental compliance initiatives, with a specific emphasis on coastal and waters permitting, threatened and endangered species regulations, and other critical natural resource permitting projects.
• • A significant aspect of your role will involve close collaboration with clients and internal project teams to proactively identify and resolve complex permitting and regulatory challenges, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.
• • You will be responsible for the preparation, submission, and meticulous management of permit applications and consistency determinations, adhering strictly to the requirements of the California Coastal Act and its associated statutes.
• • This position requires active coordination and engagement with a wide array of regulatory agencies, including but not limited to: the California Coastal Commission (CCC), San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), California State Lands Commission (CSLC), Local Coastal Programs (LCPs), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE – Sections 404/10), Regional and State Water Quality Control Boards (Section 401), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and NOAA Fisheries (NMFS).
• • You will conduct thorough evaluations of project consistency with established Coastal Act policies, paying close attention to critical areas such as wetlands, Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA), shoreline processes, the implications of sea level rise, and public access considerations.
• • The role involves assisting in the strategic coordination of multi-agency permitting pathways, streamlining complex regulatory processes for clients.
• • You will actively support the development of impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation planning strategies, ensuring environmental protection is paramount.
• • Furthermore, you will provide crucial support in ensuring permit condition compliance throughout the design and construction phases of projects.
• • Collaboration is key; you will work closely with a diverse team of in-house biologists, archaeologists, GIS specialists, planners, and engineers, as well as external technical specialists, fostering a synergistic approach to problem-solving.
• • You will contribute to business development by supporting proposal efforts, including the preparation of compelling technical writing and accurate cost inputs.
• • Providing high-level technical Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) support for reports and regulatory submittals will be a vital part of ensuring the accuracy and defensibility of our work.
• • You will be entrusted with managing assigned project/program budgets, schedules, and staffing needs, demonstrating strong organizational and leadership capabilities.
• • A valuable aspect of this role includes mentoring junior staff, sharing your knowledge, and contributing to the continuous growth and development of the team's expertise.
• • Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of industry trends, evolving regulations, and best practices through ongoing professional development is essential for success in this dynamic field.
• • This position is ideal for a senior technical professional who possesses strong regulatory expertise, excels in project execution, and is adept at building trusted client relationships, all while operating under the guidance of senior leadership.
• • Embrace an entrepreneurial environment that actively encourages growth, continuous learning, and innovative problem-solving, supported by talented and knowledgeable colleagues.
• • Make the move to accelerate your career with a rapidly growing company that values individual leadership, initiative, and impactful decision-making.