Senior Natural Resources/Biology Project Manager 1

GAI Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Senior Natural Resources/Biology Project Manager 1 to lead and manage complex natural resources impact assessment, permitting and regulatory compliance efforts for energy projects in California and the greater Southwest US region. Responsibilities span project lifecycle management—from siting/routing, CEQA/NEPA compliance and natural resources/waters impact permitting to agency coordination and construction support—while ensuring adherence to related regulatory requirements. The position combines the need for technical natural resources expertise with a passion for business development and the desire for leadership responsibilities. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of managing biological surveys, authoring habitat assessments and permit packages, and managing compliance monitoring for energy and transmission projects on time and within budget. #LI-JB1

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead natural resource compliance strategy for energy projects across the full project lifecycle: routing/siting, environmental impact assessments, permitting and construction compliance.
• Serve as the primary client contact and agency liaison: proactively engage and negotiate permitting pathways with USACE, USFWS, BLM, state wildlife agencies, and local jurisdictions; and maintain strong agency and client relationships that advance project approvals.
• Prepare, submit, and track reports and related permit applications and agency consultations associated with local, state and federal regulations.
• Identify potential project risks and negotiate complex permit conditions and mitigation strategies with agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage technical and field teams (including subconsultants) related to biological studies, and the associated task/project budgets, schedules, and QA/QC processes to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
• Drive business development: identify opportunities, proposal strategy and writing, participate in interviews, and support account growth across energy infrastructure and energy markets.
• Mentor and train junior and mid-level biologists.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in biological resources studies and environmental permitting for energy/transmission infrastructure projects, with proven expertise with environmental impacts analysis, siting/routing studies, CEQA/ NEPA documentation, and agency (BLM, USFWS, USACE) engagement involving federal and state Endangered Species Act, and state and federal jurisdictional waters assessments, permitting and mitigation strategy.
• Strong project management skills with a successful track record of overseeing and delivering multiple complex natural resource based projects in various phases of development and geographic locations on time and on budget.
• Excellent writing skills are required with proven ability to author, manage and review permit applications and technical reports supporting federal, state, and local regulatory documentation and permit application submissions.
• Demonstrated success in business development, forecasting and client relationship management within an environmental consulting setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to present at public hearings, agency, and stakeholder meetings.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams both in office and remotely by leveraging interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
• Ability to travel (up to 25%) to project sites, GAI office locations, business development events/conferences, stakeholder events, agency hearings, and client meetings as needed.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resources, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with energy projects on both public and private lands, and associated permitting and environmental review in the Southwestern US.
• Strong knowledge of California and/or Southwest US flora and fauna, especially special-status species
• Well experienced with natural resources impact assessment, permitting, and compliance in California (CDFW, CESA, Section 401/1600 permitting.)
• Established working relationships with USACE, USFWS, BLM, and state agencies.
• This remote position prefers candidates to be located in California. However, candidates with extensive California project experience located in the Southwest US are also encouraged to apply.

Compensation

• The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $165,000 per year. The compensation offer will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.

General Characteristics

• This position is responsible for leading the successful delivery of scope, schedule, budget, and quality of environmental permitting and compliance tasks for energy projects.
• Ability to demonstrate successful use of fundamental project management skills to effectively manage projects.

Minimum Years of Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of total technical experience directly related to the outlined Position Requirements, with at least 4 of those years serving as a Senior Task/Project Manager leading and directing natural resources tasks or entire projects for an environmental consulting organization or similar professional services firm.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Engineering, or a closely related discipline; Master’s degree strongly preferred.

Teamwork and Leadership Responsibilities

• Oversight and coordination of project task deliverables, which could include involvement with subconsultant partners.
• Available to junior staff for guidance; Provides opportunities to junior staff for becoming familiar with task management and financials.
• Recruiting and retaining staff.
• Ability to develop and implement day-to-day routines for a team.
• Talent development: Develop Staff skills and empowering them as problem-solvers boosts innovation and productivity.

Project Management Responsibilities:

• Delivers scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and profitability of all projects managed.
• Plans and manages proposal and projects with multiple technical disciplines

Business Development Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains successful client relationships on existing projects.
• Ability to identify bid opportunities and coordinate and develop a proposed scope, schedule, and fee for submission in competitive bidding opportunities.
• Supports senior management in contract negotiations with clients.

Communication Responsibilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with and garner support from key stakeholders and staff.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical reports and procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports and other business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

Why GAI?

At GAI, exceptional people have an exceptional place to work, grow, lead, and achieve. Explore an array of opportunities in locations across the and join accomplished colleagues in tackling challenging projects for a range of markets. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and feel good about being part of a collaborative team that’s committed to supporting the communities we serve. Join GAI and distinguish yourself in a company poised for unlimited growth.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

• Competitive salary - GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire)
• New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program
• Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
• 401k company match
• Tuition Reimbursement