Ecologist/Botanist

Live Oak Associates, Inc. (LOA), an ecological consulting firm serving clients throughout the state of California, is seeking a staff ecologist who would function as a mid to senior level project manager. This position requires technical expertise related to California’s vegetation and wetland resources.  The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for projects involving vegetation assessments, regulated aquatic resources, state and federal environmental permitting, CEQA-related impact analyses, and construction monitoring.  The Ecologist will work out of the San Jose Office, but projects could be located anywhere in California.

The principal details related to this job announcement follow:

About Live Oak Associates, Inc.

LOA is an equal opportunity employer placing value on a diverse workplace.  Our success depends upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel who are invested in developing science-based solutions to meet our clients’ needs.  We employ over 20 biologists ranging from entry-level field technicians to doctoral-level scientists who are considered experts in their area of study. We navigate our clients through regulatory processes pertaining to biological resources. To that end, we conduct biological studies and surveys, prepare natural resources permit applications, assist with habitat management and mitigation planning, and provide construction and mitigation monitoring. Our clients – both public and private – value us for our commitment to consistent, high-quality work. For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit our web page at http://www.loainc.com.  

Preferred Academic Credentials/Professional Training

• Bachelors degree required, Masters degree preferred in botany, ecology, or related field;
• Wetland Delineation Course leading to certification;
• Arborist certification (highly desirable);

Essential Skills

• The delineation of jurisdictional waters of the U.S. and the state (i.e., waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, natural drainage features and their tributaries, natural lakes and impoundments, wetlands, etc.),;
• Surveys conducted for characterizing vegetation alliances and locating special status plant species;
• Preparation of applications for state and federal permits for projects impacting jurisdictional waters and sensitive botanical resources;
• Development of mitigation plans for project impacts to jurisdictional waters that pass muster with state and federal resource agencies;
• Preparation of CEQA documents;

Responsibilities

• Delineation of jurisdictional waters, particularly in California;
• Conduct floristic surveys;
• Preparation of permit applications;
• Prepare reports consistent with requirements of CEQA and state and federal resource agencies;
• Cultivate relationships with clients, generate work for LOA, prepare proposals for new work;
• Oversee projects ensuring that they are completed in a timely manner and meeting the standard of care established by LOA.