Job Description

PLANNING PRACTICE

We create, integrate, visualize and communicate planning concepts as they move from the initial vision through implementation. Our planning professionals build strong client partnerships, working with residents, businesses, developers, educational and medical organizations, state and local governments, the military and other federal agencies to successfully plan the future of their communities or institutions. At Michael Baker International, we focus on people and places, improving communities and creating more sustainable, convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient, and attractive places.

Michael Baker International is seeking a Senior Regulatory Permitting Specialist to support aquatic resource assessments for development, maintenance, ecosystem restoration, and conservation projects located in the southern California region. The ideal candidate would have extensive experience with field survey techniques, technical reporting standards, and regulations protecting wetlands and waters of the US/state. This position requires the application of critical thinking and solution-oriented approaches to problems towards such tasks as completing aquatic resources delineations, analyzing field-collected biological resources survey data, preparation and QA/QC of technical reports, introducing and collaborating on improvements to workflow and products, staffing coordination, project alternatives analyses, and facilitating the timely processing regulatory permit applications with federal and state resource agencies. Additionally, the requirements position associated with the position include daily planning of assignments and tasks, and additional leadership duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate would be part of a team that services a variety of projects associated with land development (e.g., residential, commercial), public works (e.g., flood control, transportation, water resource), habitat restoration, and other market sectors. The Senior Regulatory Permitting Specialist would assist with day-to-day project needs and work collaboratively with Michael Baker’s extensive network of in-house professionals including other natural resource experts, environmental planners, land development specialists, engineers, hydrologists, and GIS analysts.

A balance of field survey days, remote work from home, and office days will vary from week-to-week and seasonally. Field-level tasks typically comprise 1 to 2 days per week and are located within a two-hour drive from Michael Baker’s Southern California office locations.

The ideal candidate for this position would have wide-ranging aquatic and biological resources professional background including:

• Conducting field work to map jurisdictional wetland and stream resources across watersheds and ecoregions within Southern California
• Researching and preparing technical studies, with a primary focus on aquatic resources delineation reports
• Providing senior review of technical reports
• Preparing and processing regulatory agency permit applications for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Coastal Commission
• Providing technical reviews of aquatic resource delineation reports and regulatory permit application packages
• Managing personal workload and coordinating task scheduling with a group manager
• Supporting preparation of scopes and costs for proposals involving regulatory services tasks
• Reviewing workload demands to evaluate and adjust staffing needs to meet client goals
• Reviewing group workflow to identify and implement value-added process improvements and efficiencies

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Resource Management, or related field
• 5-10 years of experience with biological and aquatic resources services-oriented work including involvement and proficiency with regulatory permitting and compliance per CEQA, NEPA, CWA, MBTA, CFGC, FESA, and CESA
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or CRAM Trained Practitioner preferred, but not mandatory
• Professionally-demonstrated knowledge of biology, botany, restoration ecology, fluvial geomorphology, hydric soils indicators, and Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAMs) in the Southern California region
• Desire to continuously learn and grow as a professional to provide mentorship and support the career goals of emerging staff
• Ability to travel and perform in different weather conditions and moderately difficult terrain while meeting set project schedules and budgets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate technical knowledge and analyses in reports, team meetings, and client interactions
• Strong computer skills using the Microsoft Office Suite
• Expertise with GPS mapping applications (e.g., Field Maps, Survey 123) and post-field GIS workflow coordination

COMPENSATION
The annual salary range for this position is $110,000 to $160,000. This will depend on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.

BENEFITS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. *There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.