Chief Biologist (Environmental Project Manager)

Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately to receive priority consideration.

Recruitment will remain open until position is filled.

The County of Riversides 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 Departments 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).

• 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.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors 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 Drivers 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 Departments environmental process; review current department practices prepare policies or revise existing policies to ensure environmental compliance; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at with any questions regarding this recruitment.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veterans Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify upload a copy of your (or your spouses) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service and a copy of your spouses letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans Veterans Preference Policy C-3 is available here: Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter upload a copy of any license(s) official/unofficial transcript(s) degrees and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE).

Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs including H1-B visas and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression marital status ancestry medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics) genetic information or denial of medical and family care leave or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System all County of Riverside employees except those serving At Will are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding County Resolution or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the Apply link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process examinations Veterans preference pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions please refer to our web site .

If you are experiencing technical problems you may contact the applicant support desk Monday through Friday 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at or toll-free 1-.