Department Overview
Land and Environmental Management is focused on protecting and managing PG&E’s land rights and rights-ofway (ROW), environmental permitting, and compliance by engaging our employees to better understand our clients’ businesses and provide superior customer service. Aligning our operations and team with the client organizations we support with: planning, execution and overall service delivery.
The Land and Environmental Management, Wildfire Rapid Review team is responsible for providing land and environmental support to the Company’s electric distribution lines approximate 25,000 miles identified as within extreme and elevated wildfire risk areas and vegetation management activities throughout the service territory. We establish goals related to safety, customer service, affordability, land management and environmental compliance that require a collaborative, cross-functional effort of employees across the company. Together, we will become the leading corporate services organization and the leading utility in U.S.
Position Summary
This is a senior-level Terrestrial Biologist who has demonstrated proficiency of the Journey Terrestrial Biologist job duties. In this role, people and other resources are managed directly as a part of a project team. This position will typically manage large project and complex task-level work consistent with technical background, and will often lead aspects of the development and implementation of assigned projects.
The senior-level Terrestrial Biologist takes a lead role for project work assignments. The position requires an extensive knowledge of the biological issues associated with utility projects and requires the individual to leverage experience gained and client relationships to help meet PG&E goals and objectives. The senior-level Terrestrial Biologist demonstrates excellent project management skills, a growing reputation as a subject matter expert and problem solver, extensive contract management skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and sound judgment to independently resolve complex problems with only general direction. The position supports others on programmatic solutions outside of assigned projects, process improvements, regulatory relations, contracting strategies, and very large and/or complex projects. Assignments regularly provide an opportunity for creative or non-standard approaches. Work may be reviewed upon completion; solutions may provide an opportunity for future creative/non-standard approaches. Responsibilities may include privileged and confidential work.
This position will be located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Travel is estimated to be about 30% of the time throughout PG&E’s service territory.
This is an ESC represented exempt classification currently subject to collective bargaining.
Job Responsibilities
Performs functions of the Journey level biologist, but for more complex, larger budget, and higher profile projects. Jobs duties will include but are not limited to:
1. Safety
Performs all work in accordance with PG&E safety goals and practices:
Completes all required safety training
Promotes safety awareness
2. Project Planning and Workload Management
For all applicable projects ensures that work scope, schedule and cost are accurately defined and approved by the business partner before work proceeds on the project.
Provides timely input to project schedules identifying known or likely requirements for seasonal biological fieldwork and seasonal work constraints due to environmental issues
Plans scope, schedules, and budgets for all surveys, monitoring and compliance work to meet regulatory requirements
Ensures that project workload (including in-house and contract labor) is tracked and specific classification level targets are met.
Ensure the proper coordination, staff utilization and satisfactory completion of all assigned work
3. Project Communication
Ensure that consistent cost and schedule are provided to all team leads for each project supported
Ensures that business partners are aware of potential cost over /under runs and that potential schedule delays are identified as early in the project planning and implementation process as possible
4. Relationship Management
Represents the company in agency/stakeholder interactions and negotiations to best meet the goals and objectives of PG&E while maintaining compliance with all state and federal guidelines and laws
Works closely with business partners and other specialists within the department to develop appropriate permitting/licensing and mitigation strategies
Develops and/or reviews agency or public meeting presentations for projects you are assigned and ensure that the presentation is factually accurate and based on sound scientific principles
When requested assists in communications and negotiations on sensitive environmental issues with stakeholders
5. Technical Project Management
As a member of a multidisciplinary project team, develops scope, schedule, and budget as the technical lead for biological work assignments.
Provides strategic permitting and licensing guidance to business partners, other technical staff in the department and contractors
Develops project biological study plans and evaluates for cost effectiveness
Manages and provides technical oversight to contractors
Plans and manages implementation of studies and assessments associated with specific biological work scopes associated with licensing and permitting
Manage studies in support of licenses, permits and compliance
Provide guidance and oversight for the preparation/collection of needed data to support the development of licensing and permitting applications
Provides technical expertise for responses to agency/NGO comments or requests for data
6. Technical Project Performance
Conduct or direct technical work, as required to meet project goals, using the highest standards of scientific investigation and analysis.
Design or collaborate with contract scientists in design of technical studies; identify/analyze project impacts; and develop/recommend protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures.
Prepare or oversee preparation of technical reports and input for licensing and permitting documents.
Work collaboratively with agencies and non-governmental organizations to resolve licensing and permitting issues. Review and comment on regulatory agency or third-party environmental documents as requested.
7. Technical Quality Assurance
Ensures that all technical work (contractor or self-generated) meets the standards required by the regulatory agency guidelines, and as may apply utility standard practices, policies and guidelines concerning natural resources protection
Provide technical quality assurance for contract work
Supports a consistent adherence to technical and professional standards in the performance of all biological work
8. Cost/ Schedule Management
Manages cost commitments within the project budget
Ensures project budgets are estimated and submitted as required by business partners.
Provides technical and contract administration oversight for all assigned work
Ensures that all schedule and deliverable commitments are met on or before the planned due dates
9. Contractor
Develops technical scope of work and submit requests for proposals
Conduct proposal evaluations and selection of successful bidder, or may initiate a sole source award with written justification
Supports company strategic sourcing and diversity supplier initiatives
Qualifications
Minimum:
BS/BA degree in Natural Resources, Botany, Biology, Ecology, or related sciences with an emphasis on terrestrial ecosystems.
8-10 years relevant professional work experience. Must possess a valid California Driver’s License