New

Habitat Restoration Specialist

Dudek
United States, California, Santa Barbara
Sep 10, 2025
Location(s): Pasadena, Santa Barbara Practice/Department: Habitat Restoration Internal Title: Habitat Restoration Specialist III-IV Work Environment: Hybrid Compensation: $75,000 - $120,000 annually* Dudek's journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California's water and wastewater agencies. Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we've been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards. Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. Who You Are As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently. Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation. How You'll Make an Impact We are currently seeking a full-time, self-motivatedindividual with proven professional experience in ecological restoration to join our Habitat Restoration Team. This position will have abundant professional growth and career advancement opportunities as well as expanded responsibilities consistent with the recipient's skills and motivations. Duties and Responsibilities Lead the development of written restoration planning and design documents including Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plans and Conceptual Restoration Plans. Lead and conduct field work associated with site assessments and long-term biological monitoring of mitigation/restoration sites. Collect field data utilizing point intercept transect, quadrat, releve, and other sampling methodologies. Conduct statistical analysis of collected data sets. Prepare written technical reports including site assessments and annual monitoring reports for habitat restoration projects. Perform observations of restoration implementation/construction and prepare punch list field reports for projects. Lead design and planning for mitigation, revegetation, and restoration projects. Interpret habitat assessments, vegetation mapping, and other general biological resources surveys and report documents. Manage projects including project workflow, budget tracking, financial performance, sub-consultant coordination, etc. Draft scopes and costs for proposal efforts. Assist with resource agency permitting. Coordinate with in-house biologists, restoration ecologists, landscape architects and engineers. Conduct habitat assessments, rare plant surveys, vegetation mapping, jurisdictional delineations, and other general biological survey assignments. Minimum Qualifications B.A. or B.S. in Restoration Ecology, Environmental Science, Earth System Science, Biology, Landscape Architecture, or other applicable environmental field with strong ecological background. 5+ years of experience in habitat restoration planning and implementation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to draft and edit technical documents. Able to conduct strenuous field work in hot weather (over 100 F) and in steep terrain conditions. Work may involve assignments in remote locations with overnight stays and working individually. License to legally operate a motor vehicle in the State of California. Must possess a valid driver's license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: wetlands restoration, sensitive species habitat restoration, rare plant species restoration, restoration design (landscape architecture), coastal nature-based design, restoration engineering, invasive species management and pesticide application (Pest Control Advisor), land management planning and implementation, or mitigation banking. Ability to act independently in the development of new projects and/or lead business development efforts in collaboration with the Habitat Restoration Practice Director. Ability to provide QA/QC technical review of habitat restoration documents based on informed expertise and project experience. Experience with Resource Agency coordination related to mitigation projects. In depth knowledge of local ecology, plant communities, hydrology, soils, and native and non-native plant species. Fluency in restoration concepts and ecological processes. Experience and knowledge of the environmental policies and regulations which may require restoration work to be performed, and that may constrain various approaches to restoration design and implementation. Experience with mitigation banking and/or In-Lieu Fee programs. Excellent technical writing skills. Compensation: $75,000-$120,000 annually* *Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual's related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. Working ConditionsEnvironment This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following: Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc. Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination. Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek's operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek's commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.