Possible Position Title: Biologist ll, or III, or Senior Biologist dependent on skills and years of experience

Location: Bay Area, California

Pay Range: Salary $80,000 - $125,000 dependent on skills and years of experience

Minimum Relevant Experience:  3+ years

Avila and Associates is a small, San Francisco Local Business Enterprise, woman-owned business, primarily working on restoration, and various land management projects for public agencies. The environmental services group is a small, tight-knit team of biologists who work collaboratively to deliver high-quality work that impacts client decisions about how to best manage sensitive resources and habitats. The successful candidate will have the biological, wildlife, botanical, and ecological skill-set required and be excited to work on a dynamic, supportive team where collaborative decision-making is the norm. Offices are located in Pleasanton, Concord, and San Francisco CA; field sites in the greater Bay Area and California

This position will be responsible for and work with a team of other consultants and clients to:

• Perform biological monitoring such as nesting bird, bat roost, invasive plant, and rare plant surveys ahead of and during projects
• Oversee crews removing nonnative invasive plants or installing native vegetation
• Perform reconnaissance level botanical surveys and implement monitoring plans
• Contribute to technical reports and memoranda
• Contribute to the documents required to obtain permits and agreements required by local, state and federal regulatory agencies
• Assist in field studies, small projects, or portions of larger projects as part of a group
• Provide quality checks and oversee subcontractor performance on small projects
• Provide support to project leads

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience identifying common plants and wildlife in a wide variety of habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
• Keep detailed and accurate field records. Comfort with ESRI Field Maps, Microsoft Suite, and Google Suite
• Comfort working around heavy machinery such as chainsaws, chippers, excavators, and skidsteers.
• Participate in field activities often under inclement conditions – drizzle, cold, and extreme heat are common.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders including the public and regulatory agency staff.
• Work collaboratively with Avila staff and with diverse and multi-disciplinary teams and resolve differences effectively.
• Ability to be a self-starter and work independently.

Wildlife & Biological Experience (Desired)

Candidates should demonstrate experience with special-status wildlife species and sensitive habitats through permitted work, agency-approved experience, formal training, or field surveys.

Highly desirable experience includes:

• Permits or authorization to work with listed species (e.g., Recovery Permit, 10(a)(1)(A), Scientific Collection Permit)
• Field survey or monitoring experience with special-status species, including:
• California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, western pond turtle
• Foothill yellow-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake, Alameda whipsnake
• San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat, marbled murrelet, burrowing owl
• Ridgway’s rail, black rail, snowy plover, salt marsh harvest mouse
• Monarch, silverspot, and Mission blue butterflies; western and Crotch’s bumble bees
• Nesting bird surveys (California/Bay Area experience preferred)
• Bat habitat assessments and surveys
• Bullfrog removal experience or training

Biological Monitoring

• Experience serving as a biological monitor on construction or restoration projects in sensitive habitats
• Ability to provide environmental compliance training to construction crews

Botanical & Vegetation Experience

• Rare plant and vegetation surveys using Relevé and rapid assessment methods
• Strong botanical identification skills (California flora preferred)
• Familiarity with CDFW protocol-level rare plant surveys
• Knowledge of the Manual of California Vegetation and vegetation classification

Wetland Delineation

• Experience conducting or assisting with wetland delineations
• Wetland delineation certification or experience preparing delineation reports

Position Descriptions

Biologist II

Position Overview

Under general supervision, the Biologist II supports biological and environmental projects through field monitoring, data collection and analysis, regulatory research, and technical reporting. This role applies developing technical expertise to a range of projects, supports permitting and compliance efforts, and contributes to mitigation and monitoring programs. The Biologist II works independently on routine tasks and assists on more complex assignments.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct biological field monitoring and data collection
• Implement monitoring protocols and study plans
• Analyze biological data and maintain accurate field and laboratory records
• Support permitting, regulatory compliance, and QA/QC activities
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, and data summaries
• Coordinate field logistics, equipment, and schedules
• Communicate with project teams, agencies, and stakeholders as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Knowledge of ecological monitoring methods and environmental regulations
• Experience with data management, analysis, and QA/QC
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Work Environment

• Combination of office and field work
• Fieldwork in variable weather and terrain, including wet or uneven conditions
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs

Biologist III

Position Overview

The Biologist III is an advanced, mid-level professional responsible for evaluating and monitoring biological resources in support of construction, restoration, mitigation, flood control, and water utility projects. This role works independently on complex field studies and portions of larger projects, prepares technical reports, supports permitting efforts, and communicates with clients and regulatory agencies.

The Biologist III works under general supervision and may provide technical guidance to Biologists I–II, consultants, or contractors.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct biological surveys, impact assessments, and monitoring programs
• Analyze biological data and prepare technical and regulatory reports
• Support environmental permitting and regulatory compliance efforts
• Assist with habitat restoration, mitigation, and conservation planning
• Coordinate fieldwork, staff schedules, equipment, and data collection
• Represent client and firm interests with regulatory agencies as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience
• Working knowledge of ecology, wetlands science, wildlife, and environmental regulations
• Experience with environmental impact assessment, mitigation, and monitoring
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Work Environment

• Combination of office and field work; travel required
• Fieldwork in variable weather and terrain, including wet or uneven conditions
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs

Senior Biologist

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Biologist to serve as a technical expert on biological resources and environmental permitting projects. This role leads biological surveys, impact analyses, mitigation and monitoring programs, and regulatory coordination for a variety of infrastructure, restoration, and environmental projects. The Senior Biologist works independently on complex assignments, provides technical leadership to project teams, and collaborates closely with clients and regulatory agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead biological surveys, ecological investigations, and technical analyses
• Manage and support compliance with environmental permits and regulatory compliance efforts
• Design and implement mitigation and monitoring programs
• Analyze biological data and prepare clear, defensible technical reports
• Coordinate field efforts, staff assignments, equipment, and data collection
• Train and mentor staff and supervise staff; provide technical oversight as needed
• Communicate with clients, agencies, and stakeholders
• Support project management tasks including budgets, invoicing, scopes of work, and scheduling
• Represent client and firm interests with regulatory agencies
• Contribute to business development and proposal efforts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field (e.g., ecology, wildlife, fisheries, botany)
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in biological resources or environmental consulting
• Strong knowledge of biology, ecology, wetlands science, and environmental regulations
• Experience with environmental impact assessment, mitigation, and monitoring
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Valid or obtainable California driver’s license

Preferred Skills

• Experience with habitat restoration and conservation planning
• Familiarity with QA/QC procedures and technical review
• Project management and client coordination experience
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff

Work Environment

• Combination of office and field work; travel required
• Fieldwork in variable weather and terrain, including wet or uneven conditions
• Ability to conduct physically demanding fieldwork and carry up to 50 lbs