Senior Biologist / Senior Project Manager

San Diego, CA
Full Time
Natural Resources
Experienced

About Us 

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. 

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences. 


About The Role 

We are seeking a Senior Biologist/Senior Project Manager to join our Renewables practice, supporting complex energy infrastructure projects that advance renewable energy development and electric transmission. This role offers the opportunity to lead CEQA environmental review, biological oversight, and permitting strategy, guiding projects from planning through implementation, while working closely with clients, regulatory agencies, and multidisciplinary internal teams. 

The Senior Biologist / Senior Project Manager serves as a technical leader, strategic advisor, and key client interface. The ideal candidate brings experience preparing and conducting senior-level review of CEQA documents and related biological technical studies (e.g., BRAs), along with an understanding of the broader permitting landscape. This position is well suited for a seasoned project manager who enjoys collaboration, technical rigor, creative thinking, and overseeing projects from start to finish.  


How We Collaborate 

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.    


What You’ll Do 

Project Management and Regulatory Compliance -

  • Oversee the preparation and defensibility of CEQA documents for renewable energy, electric transmission, and energy generation projects, including senior-level QA/QC of all deliverables. 

  • Provide strategic biological oversight, directing technical studies and reviewing analyses to ensure alignment with permitting strategies. 

  • Lead feasibility studies and constraints analyses, ensuring accurate assessment of project viability. 

  • Manage projects from entitlement through environmental analysis and implementation, ensuring regulatory compliance and successful execution. 

  • Coordinate with technical teams and regulatory specialists for permitting and consultation to maintain compliance. 

Client Interaction and Public Engagement -

  • Serve as the primary client liaison, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring project goals align with client expectations. 

  • Represent projects in public presentations to agency decision-making bodies. 

  • Advise clients on permitting strategy and regulatory risk to support timely and constructible project outcomes. 

Business Development and Team Leadership -

  • Contribute to business development efforts by preparing proposals, estimating project costs, and expanding client relationships. 

  • Train and mentor junior staff in CEQA processes and environmental planning requirements, ensuring their professional growth. 


What You’ll Bring 

  • B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field.  

  • 6–10+ years of highly relevant experience with progressive responsibility across technical work, permitting, and client management. 

  • Understanding of California’s regulatory environment, including CEQA and key state/federal permitting programs (e.g., CWA 401/404, ITP, SAA, BOs). 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate across functional areas to deliver high-quality projects aligned with client and regulatory requirements. 

  • Demonstrated expertise in managing multiple concurrent projects with responsibility for project schedules, scopes, budgets, and deliverables. 

  • Proficiency with digital project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) for efficient management of tasks, schedules, and team communication. 

Nice to Have (Optional) 

  • Direct experience supporting renewable energy development projects in California, particularly utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) 

  • Experience serving as the senior project manager on large-scale, complex projects involving significant acreage, multi-agency coordination, and overlapping state and federal permitting pathways. 

  • Experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams (e.g., biology, cultural resources, planning, air quality, etc.). 


Investing in You 

The base salary range for this full-time position is $90,000–$140,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement. 

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page. 


Additional Employment Information 

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws. 

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.

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