Chief Biologist (Environmental Project Manager)

Full Job Description

Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately to receive priority consideration.

Recruitment will remain open until position is filled.

The County of Riverside's Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for a Chief Biologist (Environmental Project Manager).

This position plays a critical role in managing the Biology Unit within the Department’s Environmental Programs Division, located in Riverside.

The Environmental Project Manager position focuses on the management of ecological resources. The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the implementation of, and ensuring proposed project consistency with, Habitat Conservation Plans/Natural Community Conservation Plans.
• Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and practices associated with land development projects.
• Reviewing and evaluating the biological elements of land use applications to ensure practical implementation of regional ecological policies and guidelines.
• Performing environmental evaluations related to ecological reserve/conservation configurations, urban/wildland interface issues, sensitive habitats/vegetation, animal movement, species relocation plans, revegetation plans, and other land use issues resulting from public and private development.
• Conducting meetings with various regulating agencies, including, but not limited to, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).
• Reviewing biological assessments to ensure proper mitigation measures and conservation plan consistency, which may include, but are not limited to: Habitat Assessments, Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Consistency Analyses, Jurisdictional Delineations, and Determinations of Biologically Equivalent or Superior Preservation (DBESP).

The Ideal Candidate
The most competitive candidates will bring a strong technical background in ecological resource management paired with advanced mapping and technology skills. A comprehensive understanding of GIS mapping principles, application utilization, data input, and file sharing is highly desirable. While not required, experience with field mapping using mobile GIS and GPS technologies will be considered a valuable asset.

Candidates with knowledge of, or experience applying, UAV/Drone technologies for site review and documentation will be especially competitive.

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

Meet the Team!
The Planning Department is responsible for Riverside County's General Plan, a comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of unincorporated areas within the County. This department formulates growth management plans and zoning for the County.

Requirements

• Provide project management support on an array of technically complex projects related to biological compliance documentation and coordination with other wildlife and conservation regulating agencies.

• Plan, organize, direct, review, and evaluate the work of professional department staff and external consultants.

• Participates or directs others in the preparation of the habitat conservation plans; provides technical expertise needed to effectively implement those plans.

• Facilitates the coordination of environmental site research and planning by other agencies, private groups or individuals.

• Reviews biological resource evaluations and assists in determining the types of mitigation required of proposed projects in sensitive habitat areas in order to implement habitat conservation plans.

• Provides information regarding the results of project proposed mitigation measures for habitat conservation to federal and state agencies.

• Reviews biological reports and other environmental data submitted to the County with development/land use applications; makes comments and requests further information as needed and determines the type and nature of appropriate mitigation measures for biological resources assessed on properties.

• May prepare or review relevant sections of environmental documentation for proposed projects, which include development and monitoring of biological mitigation measures.

• Develop and assign biological conditions of approval to land use project and communicates this information to landowners, applicants, developers, consultants and other public agencies.

• May make verbal presentations to the Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors and other public entities on matters concerning vegetation, wildlife, and natural resources protection and enhancements.

• Attend periodic meetings with RCA and other wildlife agencies to review project mitigation and compliance strategies.

• Consult with applicants/public inquiries and provide direction about required conservation compliance, clarify conservation plan requirements and explain why they must comply.

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably in engineering, physical, chemical, environmental, or biological science, planning, public administration, urban or physical geography, geology, architecture, or closely related field to the assignment.

An advanced degree in a scientific field of study is highly desired.

Experience: Four years of professional transportation land use or water resource planning experience, which included two years of experience with responsibility for project oversight in a lead, supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity.

• Wetlands Delineation

• Regulatory Permitting

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge of: The principles and practices of project management especially as they apply to public works and/or development activities; the principles and practices of land use and transportation planning; environmental monitoring; state and federal standards concerning public works and/or land use design and construction; techniques of project management, personnel management, and project funding and budgeting; the laws and regulations affecting environmental permitting and permit clearance including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Clean Water Act, and California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.

Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of an environmental or water resources planning unit; lay out and supervise the work of professional or water resources environmental personnel; perform difficult technical research, analyze situations accurately, and adopt effective courses of action; review, evaluate, and comment on proposed environmental plans or legislation that affect the Department's environmental process; review current department practices, prepare policies or revise existing policies to ensure environmental compliance; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Additional Information

For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at VDBEAIRD@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment.