Senior Biologist – Water Regulatory Permitting Specialist

Dudek

Senior Biologist focusing on aquatic resource permitting at Dudek. Collaborating with teams across California and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Posted 5/13/2026full-timeCalifornia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $120,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Leads preparation and management of Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit applications, including Individual Permits, Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits.
Leads preparation and management of CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements applications with the State Water Resources Control Board and applicable Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
Leads preparation and management of Fish and Game Section 1602 Lake and Streambed Alterations Agreement applications, including submittal and tracking via EPIMS.
Coordinates with lead regulatory specialist on responding to information requests, negotiating permit conditions and supporting agency consultation and site visits.
Coordinates closely with engineers, planners, biologists, cultural resources specialists, and clients to integrate permitting requirements into project design and permitting strategies.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, environmental science or related natural resources field.
A minimum of 8 years’ of experience in aquatic resource permitting.
Demonstrated, hands-on experience with CWA Section 401 and 404, State Porter-Cologne Waste Discharge Requirements, Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq. permitting processes.
Demonstrated experience coordinating directly with USACE, SWRCB/RWQCB, CDFW, and USFWS.
Strong, trust‑based relationships with federal, state, and local resource agencies to support effective project coordination, streamline permitting pathways, and ensure transparent, solution‑oriented communication throughout all phases of project development.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary
Employee ownership
Awards and recognition for workplace culture

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

CWA Section 404CWA Section 401Waste Discharge RequirementsFish and Game Section 1602aquatic resource permittingpermitting processesproject designpermitting strategiesEPIMS

Soft Skills

communicationcoordinationrelationship buildingnegotiationproject managementcollaborationproblem-solvingconsultation