Senior Biologist / Water Regulatory Permitting Specialist

Location(s): Southern California
Practice/Department: Biological
Work Environment: Hybrid
Compensation: $120,000-150,000/annually*

 
Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies. 

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.  

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. 

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. 

Who You Are 

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.  

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation. 

How You’ll Make an Impact

Dudek is currently seeking a full-time senior-level Biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will help grow Dudek’s biological resources practice with a focus on aquatic resource permitting, and work collaboratively with other Dudek staff based throughout our California offices. This position will include primarily in-office work with occasional field-based work and can be located out of any of our California offices. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Leads preparation and management of Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit applications, including Individual Permits, Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits.
• Leads preparation and management of CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements applications with the State Water Resources Control Board and applicable Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
• Leads preparation and management of Fish and Game Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alterations Agreement applications, including submittal and tracking via EPIMS.
• Coordinates with lead regulatory specialist on responding to information requests, negotiating permit conditions and supporting agency consultation and site visits.
• Coordinates with agencies on routine issues; complex negotiations are escalated.
• Manages permitting tasks including financial management; escalates novel or high‑risk issues to senior staff.
• Coordinates closely with engineers, planners, biologists, cultural resources specialists, and clients to integrate permitting requirements into project design and permitting strategies.
• Independently reviews complex aquatic resource delineations and is able to resolve routine jurisdictional questions in accordance with USACE Wetlands Delineation, applicable Regional Supplements, and State wetlands permits.
• Reviews Aquatic Resource Delineation Reports to confirm agencies’ jurisdiction.
• Coordinates and attends pre-application and agency verification field meetings with USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW.
• Provides basic technical guidance and mentorship to junior biologists, ensuring high-quality technical writing and fieldwork.
• Assists with technical sections of proposals and scopes and supports the preparation of materials for interviews.
• Supports permitting tasks of varying levels of complexity, including assisting with budgeting, invoicing, scheduling and task allocation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• A minimum of 8 years’ of experience in aquatic resource permitting.
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience with CWA Section 401 and 404, State Porter-Cologne Waste Discharge Requirements, Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq. permitting processes.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating directly with USACE, SWRCB/RWQCB, CDFW, and USFWS.
• Strong, trust‑based relationships with federal, state, and local resource agencies to support effective project coordination, streamline permitting pathways, and ensure transparent, solution‑oriented communication throughout all phases of project development.
• Experience in the integration of current environmental regulations into permitting process.
• Ability to manage permitting tasks in a fast-paced consulting environment, including developing the budget, managing the budget, and preparing change orders with the client.
• Attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a team and strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail
• Exercises good judgment and demonstrates sound decision-making skills.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
• Leadership skills and strong ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Completion of 40-hour Wetland Delineation course.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Professional Wetland Scientist).
• Demonstrated, in‑depth knowledge of biological resources, including regional species, habitat types, and key conservation and regulatory issues.
• Experience contributing to scopes of work for a range of aquatic resource permitting efforts, either as components of larger multidisciplinary efforts or standalone tasks.

Compensation: $120,000-150,000/annually* 

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. 

Working Conditions 

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. 
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following: 

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. 

• Employees must be capable of bending, squatting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 35 lbs. unassisted; 50lbs in a team lift (two or more employees). 

• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others. Speaking, hearing and listening are required. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Connect with us! 

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🤝Dudek Talent Community 

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.  

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.