Title: Technical Specialist/Scientist 3 / Permitting Specialist Duration: 18 Months Location: Remote (CA only) - Must be willing to use own device and VDI access. Shift: Mon – Fri (8.00 AM – 5.00 PM)
Responsibilities:
Supporting the Wetlands Protection Program focused on the technical review, quality control and oversight of on-call consultant work products, including wetlands and waterway jurisdictional delineation reports, project permit applications and supplemental project documentation prepared as part of application packages to be submitted to the resource agencies.
Role includes on-going coordination and communication with on-call consultants, other Sections of company’s Environmental (including Biology, Planning and Execution Sections), multiple line-operation groups within company’s, construction contractors, and the various water agencies.
Other tasks include project tracking, data management, and other administrative support.
The position requires a strong working knowledge of multiple state and federal regulations, including the federal Clean Water Act (§404 and §401), Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and California Fish and Game Code (§1600 et. seq.).
You will work with the wetlands team and various project-stakeholders to support permitting strategies and provide guidance and recommendations based on project needs, wetland science and company's current practices and procedures. You will support the Wetlands team's coordination with federal and state resource agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and/or Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) to ensure compliance with applicable water quality protection regulations.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree
Required Skills
3-years general Water Quality compliance experience
3-years experience in regulatory permitting and negotiation in California (including: USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW)
2-years experience jurisdictional water and wetland delineator (i.e., minimum 40-hr Wetland Delineation course, applied project experience)
2-years resource and project planning
2-years experience using ArcGIS and Google Earth
2- years’ experience working with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Geospatial Systems
Desired Skills
5 years of general Water Quality compliance experience
5 yrs experience in regulatory permitting and negotiation in California (including: USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW)
3 years experience jurisdictional water and wetlands delineator (i.e., minimum 40-hr Wetland Delineation course, applied project experience)
One Year experience in Wetlands Delineation in Arid Southwest
2 yrs effective resource and project planning, critical decision making, results delivery, teamwork, strong work ethic, influencing and negotiation skills, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, the ability to manage stress, and engage in continuous learning.
Strong commitment to safety values and safe work practices
Below are additional clarifications and updates shared by the hiring team that are not fully reflected in the job description:
Work Setup & Expectations This is a fully remote role, however candidates must: Be available 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time and remain actively online during working hours. Be comfortable working in a highly collaborative, real-time team environment (Microsoft Teams) with constant communication and team calibration. Use their own device via VDI if not local to Southern California.
Location Flexibility - Candidates do not need to be based in California, but: Familiarity with California (especially Southern California) wetlands, waterways, and regulatory nuances is highly preferred.
Key Experience Emphasis (Clarification) The role is heavily permitting-focused (core function), not GIS-heavy. GIS/ArcGIS is used primarily for basic navigation and mapping, not advanced analysis or database work. Candidates with strong permitting experience in wetlands/waterways (401, 404, CDFW 1600) will be prioritized over general biology backgrounds. A biological background is a plus, but only if paired with relevant permitting experience.
Additional Preferred Experience (Not Listed or Expanded) Construction monitoring or field exposure (understanding how projects translate from permitting to actual execution) is beneficial. Ability to work through “gray areas” in regulations and align with team interpretations (team calibration is critical).
Candidate Profile Guidance Candidates from other states are acceptable, but: Must demonstrate ability to adapt quickly to California regulatory frameworks, which are more complex than most states. Advanced degrees (e.g., Master’s) are not required and do not outweigh relevant experience.
Key Takeaway: The ideal candidate is a permitting-focused wetlands/waterways specialist with strong regulatory experience, ability to collaborate in a fast-paced remote team environment, and preferably familiarity with California-specific regulations.
Applicant Notices & Disclaimers
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At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 48.18/hr.
