Wildlife Biologist / Botanist (Central Valley, as-needed or full-time)

Stockton, CA

Part Time to Full Time

Natural Resources

Experienced

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking as-needed and full-time Wildlife Biologists and Botanists to join our team! We are looking for candidates with strong field expertise in botany and wildlife biology, specifically within the San Joaquin Valley. The position will involve conducting habitat assessments and surveys, construction compliance monitoring, and providing biological construction support for a variety of projects. If you have a passion for fieldwork and a deep knowledge of Central Valley species and habitats, we encourage you to apply!

Work will occur on-site and in the field between Madera and Merced, CA. Applicants within one-hour driving distance of these locations will be prioritized.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Conduct site assessments, surveys, and habitat evaluations for special-status species and vegetation.
Perform biological monitoring and provide compliance support during construction activities.
Identify plant species using a dichotomous key, focusing on San Joaquin Valley botany.
Survey, monitor, and assess habitats for special-status species, including but not limited to the following:
- California tiger salamander (CTS)
- San Joaquin kit fox (SJKF)
- Blunt-nosed leopard lizard (BNLL)
- Giant garter snake (GGS)
- Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (VELB)
- Western spadefoot toad (WST)
- Western pond turtle (WPT)
- Vernal pool invertebrates (VPI)
- Fresno kangaroo rat (FKR)
- Giant kangaroo rat (GKR)
- Nelson’s antelope ground squirrel
- Special status plants in the San Joaquin Valley
Prepare compliance monitoring reports, preconstruction survey reports, and other technical documentation.
Track compliance with mitigation measures and permit conditions, maintaining accurate field reports and monitoring logs.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide additional support to the Natural Resources Team as needed.

This Job Might Be for You If You Have the Following:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, or a related field, with at least 5 years of professional biological fieldwork experience.
Prior approval through the US Fish and Wildlife Service as Designated Biologist, Species Specific Monitor or General Biological Monitor for any of the above listed species in the San Joaquin Valley is highly preferred.
Expertise in San Joaquin Valley ecosystems, including experience with compliance monitoring, habitat assessments, and species-specific surveys.
Familiarity with federal and state incidental take permits, regulatory compliance oversight, and mitigation measures.
Demonstrated experience with the Central Valley species listed above, including survey and monitoring in occupied habitats and securing project approvals.
Strong technical writing skills, including field reports, monitoring logs, and preconstruction survey documentation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work in various outdoor conditions and travel regionally.

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a ‘Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For’ by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 400+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central, and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $80,000–$126,000, plus a generous benefits program. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note, this position is also available on an as-needed basis.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package, providing our valued employees with many benefits to enhance their well-being and financial security. Our health benefits include a range of options such as HMO, PPO, HDHP, and Health Savings Account choices, ensuring you have the flexibility to select the plan that best suits your needs.

Additionally, you can enjoy peace of mind with employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, as well as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. We prioritize your well-being by offering three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring you have ample time off to rejuvenate. Planning for your future is made easier through our 401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and bonus opportunities.

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here!

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Apply for this position

Required*

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone*

Address*

Resume*

We've received your resume. Click here to update it.

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

Cover Letter

Who referred you to this position? Enter their first and last name here.

LinkedIn Profile URL:

Desired salary*

Earliest start date?

Preferred Name:

Why do you desire to leave your current employment? (if you’ve already left, please explain why or if for growth opportunities, explain the type of growth opportunities you are specifically seeking)*

What is your highest attained educational degree? (degree will be verified upon hire)*

Have you had experience performing botanical surveys in the San Joaquin Valley? If so, please describe.*

Have you had prior approval through the USFWS as Designated Biologist, Species Specific Monitor, or General Biological Monitor for any of the above listed species? Please describe the species and approval level.*

Are you willing to relocate at your expense for this opportunity?*

What is your ability to work in a Rincon office?*

Have you previously interviewed for a position with Rincon Consultants? If yes, what position?*

Are you authorized to work in the United States?*

Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?*

Are you willing to submit to a background screening that meets the requirements of certain client contracts that include drug testing, employment verification of last three employers and E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States?*

I CERTIFY THAT THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE APPLICATION ARE TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, FALSE STATEMENTS OR DELIBERATE OMISSIONS ON THIS APPLICATION MAY BE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION FROM EMPLOYMENT OR, IF DISCOVERED AFTER EMPLOYMENT BEGINS, COULD RESULT IN DISCIPLINE UP TO AND INCLUDING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.* True

Privacy Notice: Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Rincon Consultants, Inc. (the "Company") is notifying you that by applying for a position, you are providing us the following categories of personal information that we may use to evaluate your candidacy for employment, communicate with you regarding your candidacy, and obtain and verify background checks, and references: Personal Identifiers (e.g., name*); Contact Information (e.g., address, email, phone number), Employment History (e.g., current and former positions held, work experience, and any certifications or licenses), and Education History.

*Should an offer being extended by the Company and accepted by you, additional Personal Identifiers such as SSN, Date of Birth, and Driver License information is required by our third-party background screening vendor.

By clicking "I AGREE," I acknowledge and confirm that I have received and read and understand this notice, and I authorize and consent to the Company’s use of the personal information it collects, receives or maintains for the business purposes identified above. ** I AGREE

Are you most interest in full-time or as-needed work? If as-needed, what is your availability?*

The following questions are entirely optional.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Gender

Race/Ethnicity

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran

A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
- a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
- a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Veteran status

I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury

Please check one of the boxes below:

YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Name	Date

Human Check*

Submit Application