Job Details

Project Biologist

Job Description and Duties

Please reference PARF 05-6-164. Standard State application (STD 678) is required. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified candidates will be interviewed.

Under the direction of the Environmental Branch Chief, the incumbent is an interdisciplinary team member who will be responsible for preparing and reviewing complex environmental and biological documents, technical studies, and analytical reports to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and numerous state and federal environmental resource laws and regulations. The Incumbent is the Project Biologist on Department project and researches, prepares, and analyzes complex technical reports for compliance with CEQA/NEPA, CESA/FESA and Section 7 as well as many biologically related state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to transportation projects. The incumbent must be able to lead and conduct protocol level field surveys for a variety of plant, animal and natural resources and to provide technical data for the biological analysis. This position requires GIS skills to prepare maps and conduct analysis to report both temporary and permanent impacts to varying resources of concern. The incumbent will conduct oversight and review of biological technical studies for local agency documents, Biological Assessments for FESA Section 7 consultation, and will identify and articulate impacts and recommended environmental mitigation measures. This position must demonstrate the ability to prepare permit applications for CESA compliance and complete and coordinate all necessary information for a complete permit application. This position must coordinate with appropriate internal and external experts to identify appropriate mitigation. The incumbent will work as a liaison with federal, State, and local regulatory entities, including Regulatory agencies such as USFWS, CDFW, NMFS, and the CA Coastal Commission for coordination, consultation and compliance with various environmental and biological regulations.

The Incumbent acts as a representative of the Department in negotiations with regulatory agency staff for permits and consultations, and independently manages consultant task orders. This position also works with confidential and privileged information and is responsible for managing cost, scope, schedule and project resources within their purview. The incumbent must establish and maintain a professional working relationship with internal project delivery partners, various local partners and interested parties involved with Caltrans' projects. The incumbent must be solution oriented and will need to investigate innovative solutions to meet deliverables. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the transportation project development process through construction, be able to complete job-related and job-required training as needed and respond to customer service inquiries. This work requires strong oral and written skills with the specific ability to prepare technical reports as well as written and verbal correspondence. This position may require site visits, sometimes to remote areas, which may require driving a personal or state vehicle on public roadways or on uneven terrain. Occasional overtime, travel and overnight stays may be required. Possession of a valid drivers license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

PARF# 05-6-164 / JC- 491745

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Environmental Scientist exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 2885 S. Higuera, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County.

This is a reposting of JC-477227. If you have previously applied to this position, you do not have to re?apply. Your application will be considered.

The incumbent will work in a climate?controlled environment in a cubicle?based office setting; in a home office as part of an approved telework agreement between the incumbent and the employer; and in the field in locations ranging from office buildings to locations on/or adjacent to the State Highway System. These situations may expose the incumbent to potentially unsafe situations, and the incumbent will be required to take mandated trainings and adhere to safe work and field practices. Some fieldwork requires the ability to work in a variety of climatic, topographic, and geographical conditions.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltranss evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in?person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employees designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success. Caltrans is about celebrating diversity, valuing one another, and recognizing that Caltrans is strong not despite the diverse attributes of our workforce, but because of our diversity.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Directors EEO Policy:

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid drivers license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.
• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications will disqualify candidates from the hiring process.

Your application and SOQ will be screened on your communication skills. You must demonstrate proper punctuation, grammar, content relevant to the advertised position and description. If your qualifications are competitive, you will be invited to an on?site or on?line interview. When completing the SOQ, please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each desirable qualification and explain your answers thoroughly. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. Only completed state applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications or lack of completed SOQ will automatically be screened out.

SOQ Questions:

• Describe or list any linear?infrastructure related work experience you have.
• Describe your experience with preparing NEPA/CEQA documents or other technical biological documents.
• Describe any previous work experience you have as a biologist conducting wildlife and/or aquatic surveys, construction monitoring, or natural resource permitting.
• List state and federal laws and regulations related to the environmental you have knowledge of.
• Describe any GIS skills you have.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: or Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Who May Apply Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.

How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required.

Benefits

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug?free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.