Senior Biologist

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a skilled biologist with 10+ years of experience to join our Biological Resources and Land Management practice in Tampa and/or Orlando, FL. We welcome a collaborative team member with a growth mindset who can lead and conduct multifaceted natural-resource-related evaluations, technical studies, analyses, and deliver high-quality technical written work products.

Who You Are 

• You are an experienced senior-level biologist and project manager who performs natural resource-related evaluations, technical studies, analyses, and tasks requiring knowledge based on education and at least ten years of professional experience.
• You may specialize in one or more areas, including, but not limited to: botany, conservation biology, ecology, entomology, fisheries/ichthyology, forestry, mammalogy, marine science, marine ecology, ornithology, wetlands, wildlife, and similar natural resource-related disciplines. 
• You must have experience in a wide range of markets and services, including energy, transportation, and natural resource management, and have a client-focused mindset with demonstrated environmental consulting experience providing efficient and effective solutions to client challenges. 
• You will have strong writing skills, effective oral presentation skills, listening skills, and the ability to present information understandably about complex topics.
• You are self-aware, self-motivated, and respectful and empathetic toward others. You accept responsibility for your actions, constructively give and receive feedback, and work collaboratively with a team mentality. 
• You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher graduate degree with major coursework in biology, ecology, marine science, or another environmental-related interdisciplinary field.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack and can lift at least 40 pounds.
• You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments.
• Valid FL driver's license and clean driving record and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road. 

What You Will Do for ESA

• As a senior level biologist and project manager you will lead and manage large complex projects or specialized technical tasks and may serve as project manager, task leader, or technical specialist.
• You will perform biological field studies such as habitat and species surveys, habitat inventories and assessments, wetland and stream delineations, compliance monitoring and habitat restoration.
• You will possess an advanced understanding of regulations, policies, and principles in the topic and location of expertise.
• You will serve as a lead author of environmental documents potentially including technical memoranda, biological assessments/evaluations, scientific discipline reports, and/or sections of NEPA analyses, resource-related permit applications and/or other documents.
• You will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team and take the initiative to provide mentorship to more junior staff. 
• You will demonstrate equitable and inclusive ways of working with others: treat others with respect, empathy, and dignity.
• You will thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and are able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines while working on a team or independently. 
• You will perform project management functions such as managing scope, schedule, and invoices and will be responsible for meeting financial targets for individuals, projects, and groups.
• You will deliver projects on time and within budget. You will check work for errors, accuracy, and applicability to project needs 

What’s Special About Our Biological Resources Team in Florida   

Our Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout the Southeastern U.S. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. 

We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. To read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed, check out this link: https://esassoc.com/projects/ 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.

 Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

• Full name
• The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
• Title of Job Position Applied
• Description of your accommodation request

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)