Senior Biologist

Mark Thomas is expanding its Environmental Planning team, and we are seeking a senior level biologist to play a foundational role in growing our practice in the Bay Area. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional who is excited not only about technical excellence, but also about building a practice, expanding markets, and shaping the future of a growing team.

The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial in mindset, comfortable with business development, and motivated by the opportunity to grow client relationships, pursue new markets, and mentor emerging professionals. You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm where environmental services are a strategic growth area and where leadership actively supports innovation and expansion.

RESPONSIBILTIES

• Lead and grow Mark Thomas’s Biological Resources practice, helping to shape its strategic direction, service offerings, and market focus.
• Serve as a technical authority for biological resources, permitting, and regulatory compliance on complex infrastructure and transportation projects.
• Drive business development efforts, including identifying emerging and expanding markets, developing client relationships, supporting pursuits, and contributing to proposals.
• Act as a key point of contact for Caltrans District 4, leveraging deep familiarity with expectations, processes, and approval pathways to successfully deliver and obtain approval for biological technical documents.
• Prepare, review, and oversee biological resources technical studies and deliverables, including:
• Biological Constraints Analyses
• Natural Environment Study (NES) documents
• Aquatic Resource Delineations and AJD/PJDs
• Biological Assessment / Biological Opinion (BA/BO)
• CEQA and NEPA biological sections
• Navigate and lead permitting efforts, including coordination with regulatory agencies such as USFWS, NMFS, USACE, CDFW, RWQCB, CCC, and others.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid level staff, fostering technical growth, quality, and consistency across the practice.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, and other environmental specialists across Mark Thomas to deliver integrated, high quality project solutions.
• General tasks including proactive management of project schedules, introducing and collaborating on improvements to workflow and products, staffing coordination, and providing strategic input on project design and alternative development and refinement
  

Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring both technical expertise and a growth oriented mindset. This position requires the application of a proactive mindset, critical thinking, and solution-oriented approaches to problems. Qualified candidates have:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• 8-10 in biological resources permitting and environmental compliance in California.
• Demonstrated success working with Caltrans District 4, including a strong track record of getting biological resource documents approved, and recognized experience in the Bay Area region.
• Extensive experience with field survey techniques, technical reporting standards including those for State and Federal transportation agencies, ESA/CESA, and regulations protecting wetlands and waters of the US/State.
• Proven ability to lead projects and teams, manage schedules and budgets, and maintain high standards of quality.
• Clear interest in and comfort with business development, client engagement, and strategic growth.
• An entrepreneurial, self driven approach, with the ability to identify opportunities and help build something new.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to articulate technical knowledge as well as represent the firm confidently with clients and agencies.
• 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.
• Strong computer skills using the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Expertise with GPS mapping applications and post-field GIS workflow coordination.
  
  

Benefits And Compensation

Mark Thomas offers fantastic benefits and compensation package to include:

• Competitive salary and incentives to include employee referral bonuses, certification and licensing incentives (PLA, PLS, PE, LSIT, EIT), and eligibility for year-end performance incentives
• 401k and ESOP retirement benefits to include profit sharing and a 401k match
• Paid time off benefits to include PTO, public holidays additional holidays, bereavement leave, jury/civic time, licensing & certification exam time
• Employer-paid vision insurance, basic life insurance, short-term & long-term disability, long-term care insurance, inclusive family planning & fertility resources, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), travel insurance, and in-house wellness education & challenges
• Voluntary medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and pet insurance
• FSA programs for medical, dependent care, commuter & parking
• Reimbursements for certification and licensing exams and study classes and materials
• Tuition reimbursement, paid annual dues for industry professional/societal organizations, memberships, and events
• Budgeted time for training and career development
• Flexible schedules and hybrid and primarily remote work environments
• The offered base rate of compensation (California locations only) will be based on individual education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location.
  
  

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. The successful candidate selected for hire will need to submit to a background check due to client relationship responsibilities and interactions required for this position following the extension of a conditional offer.

Mark Thomas is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. Mark Thomas welcomes all.