Resource Conservation District of The Santa Monica Mountains
Proudly serving the local community since 1961, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) offers programs and services focused on watershed management, restoration, research, and education throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. The RCDSMM plans and implements riparian and wetland restoration projects, conducts monitoring for various sensitive habitats and species, works toward the recovery of endangered fish populations, implements habitat creation and enhancement, plans interpretive design projects, works to build more wildfire resilient communities and landscapes and coordinates environmental education programs for learners of all levels.
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Introduction
This position leads the District's Natural Resources Department. The Department Director serves as a senior-level scientific administrator responsible for advising, managing, directing, and evaluating the District's biological research, habitat monitoring, and ecological restoration programs.
Under the direction of the District Manager, the Director of Natural Resources ensures the planning, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality, scientifically rigorous programs spanning aquatic surveys, wildlife monitoring, vegetation assessment, and large-scale restoration projects. This is a supervisory position and serves as the District's lead for conservation science strategy, field program development, and technical quality.
The Director also plays a critical role in advancing the District's conservation portfolio through the pursuit, development, and management of grant funding and regulatory permits. Responsibilities include identifying funding opportunities, leading grant proposal development, managing permit compliance, and representing the District with partner agencies, regulators, and the public. The position contributes to organizational leadership and cross-department coordination as a member of the management team.
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Major Duties
SUPERVISION
- Provides full supervision of Biology Department staff, including Sr. Conservation Biologists, Project Managers, and Biological Technicians
- Oversees hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development for all direct reports
- Mentors staff and supports career growth in conservation biology and project management
- Promotes inclusive and equitable workplace practices
- Ensures compliance with workplace safety requirements and applicable regulations
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH & DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT
- Field Survey Oversight- Supervises and directs field programs, projects, staff, and priorities
- Supervises maintenance and calibration of field equipment including temperature loggers, data sondes, water quality probes, and wildlife cameras
- Oversees upload, QA/QC, and analysis of field data
- Provides support for other field programs and project managers leading restoration and other efforts. Current focus includes: Aquatic invasive management plan. Oak woodland restoration. Monarch butterfly surveys and overwintering habitat restoration
- Supervises and supports team management of equipment, data, permit acquisition and compliance, CEQA/NEPA coverage, and management of RCDSMM scientific permits
- Develops and implements QA/QC protocols and manages data documentation
- Oversees preparation of monthly progress reports, annual permit reports, and technical publications
- Creates, designs, and identifies funding for new research and restoration projects that enhance natural resources within the District’s boundaries and sphere-of-influence.
- and more...
AQUATIC PROGRAM
- Direct Field Survey & Aquatic Program Oversight-Directly supervises and trains crews conducting ongoing fisheries surveys focused on endangered tidewater goby and steelhead trout, among others: seining, snorkel, and spawner surveys
- Oversees SWAMP-protocol stream surveys, amphibian and reptile surveys, nesting bird surveys, and vegetation assessments
- Supervises and trains crews on maintenance and calibration of field equipment including temperature loggers, data sondes, water quality probes, and wildlife cameras
- Oversees data upload, QA/QC, and analysis of field data
- Supervises and trains crews conducting ongoing fisheries surveys: seining, snorkel, and spawner surveys
- Holds required credentials to oversee management and continuation of research permits required for aquatic projects including but not limited to: NMFS Section 10(a)15390-2R, USFWS TE 811188-4, CDFW Scientific Collection permit for all taxa included in a CDFW RCDSMM Entity Permit, annual renewal of the CDFW MOU for Steelhead Research
FINANCE & FUNDING DEVELOPMENT
- Develops and manages biology program budgets, including grant-funded initiatives, with guidance and oversight from the District Manager and Director of Operations and Finance
- Coordinates with the finance team regarding budgets, invoices, and projections
- Monitors expenditures and ensures responsible use of resources
- Leads and significantly contributes to the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals for the department
- Manages grant-funded program implementation to ensure deliverables, timelines, and outcomes are met
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS -
- Strategic Leadership & Advising- Serves as a key member of the senior management team
- Supports development and implementation of the District's strategic plan to improve organizational culture, health, and functionality
- Ensure Department attends and contributes to regional and statewide Technical Advisory Committees, including such as the Coastal Wetlands Recovery Project, Rindge Dam removal, USFWS listing review, CDFW Coastal Monitoring Program, and LA County Regional Planning and Sustainability projects, among others
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNEDPerforms other related duties as assigned in support of District operations and priorities.
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COMPETENCIES FOR DIRECTORS
- Scientific Expertise & Leadership- Applies deep field expertise to guide research and conservation decisions. Ensures accuracy, compliance, and quality in research and regulatory work.
- Operational Excellence- Drives results, ensures accountability, and meets grant deliverables
- Leadership & Collaboration- Develops and empowers high-performing field and research teams. Builds partnerships and advances conservation initiatives
- Communication & Influence- Builds alignment across agency, partner, and community stakeholders
- Strategic Leadership= Sets vision and direction to advance the District's education mission
- FESA/CESA Permits- Must hold or be capable of immediately acquiring permits for tidewater goby and steelhead trout, as well as CDFW scientific collection permits for RCDSMM projects
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POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Studies have shown that underrepresented people often do not apply for technical jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification or requirement listed in a job description. Conversely, people with identities overrepresented in these fields often do not hesitate to apply for jobs even if they do not meet all stated qualifications. RCDSMM does not expect one person to perfectly fit this job description prior to holding a similar position for several years. Prior experience may be transferable, even if it is outside what is described herein. Training and professional development is available to RCDSMM employees to help improve skills. Passionate and interested people with the core competencies listed above are encouraged to apply.
SCREEN OUT REQUIREMENT
Must have current or pending USFWS, CDFW, or NMFS permits to work with southern steelhead trout, tidewater gobies, southwestern pond turtles, and/or other sensitive species. Or must have experience to allow procurement of permits within six (6) months of hire date.
PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Science in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in field-based biological research, monitoring, or ecological restoration
- At least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience with responsibility for staff oversight and team leadership
- Demonstrated experience conducting and supervising aquatic surveys (e.g., SWAMP protocols, seining, snorkel surveys, wetlands delineation)
- Experience preparing and coordinating regulatory permit applications and supervising implementation of permit compliance monitoring
- Experience pursuing, writing, and securing grants from public agencies, foundations, or other funding sources
- Experience managing grant-funded programs including compliance, deliverables, budget tracking, and invoicing
- Familiarity with GPS and GIS tools (handheld and desktop), including ArcGIS, Google Earth Pro, and TOPO
- Experience supervising or conducting in-field regulatory compliance work (e.g., CRAM, jurisdictional determinations)
- Experience with large-scale restoration project management including contractor oversight and environmental permitting
- Experience contributing to regional or statewide technical advisory committees or agency coordination
- High-level technical writing and communication skills, including preparation of scientific reports, grant proposals, and regulatory documents
- Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, agency partners, community organizations, and the public
- Comfortable hiking on slippery and uneven terrain, working at odd hours, and in temperature and weather extremes
- Valid California driver's license and ability to travel locally as needed
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WORK ENVIRONMENT
- This is a hybrid position requiring both in-office and on-site field work
- This position will require some nights and weekends
- This position will require long periods of sedentary desk work as well as physically demanding field work, including traversing uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor elements in a variety of conditions; some field days may be longer than 8 hours
- This position will be regularly required to stand, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and lift up to 25 pounds
- This position works with a diverse group of individuals and communities
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BENEFITS
- Additional $800 monthly health stipend
- Employee Assistance Program
- CalPERS state retirement system
- Optional 457 retirement plan (no RCD contribution),
- Accrual of up to 12 days of sick time a year and 2 weeks of vacation (increasing with years of service)
- 14 paid holidays per year
- $50 per month cell phone stipend
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APPLICATION LINK:
https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/resource-conservation-district-of-the-santa-monica-mountains-director-of-natural-resources-5bd7e4e4-0175-4ffb-b7dc-ec6236e0a0d7
Applicants must apply via Gusto.
Applicants must submit:
- Cover Letter
- Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
- Include years per position and average hours worked per week
- Your resume should clearly support any screen out requirements needed for the position.
- Do not include any personal sensitive information or pictures of yourself in any material.
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BENEFITS
- Additional $800 monthly health stipend
- Employee Assistance Program
- CalPERS state retirement system
- Optional 457 retirement plan (no RCD contribution),
- Accrual of up to 12 days of sick time a year and 2 weeks of vacation (increasing with years of service)
- 14 paid holidays per year
- $50 per month cell phone stipend
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APPLICATION LINK
https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/resource-conservation-district-of-the-santa-monica-mountains-senior-conservation-biologist-27fd3391-b044-4d46-975d-4e896344fc1c
*Only applicants who apply via Gusto (the link above) will be considered. Do not apply through Indeed.+
Applicants must submit:
- Submit Cover Letter.
- Submit Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
- Include years per position and average hours worked per week
- Your resume should clearly support any screen out requirements listed above
- Do not include any personal sensitive information or pictures of yourself in any material.
This job announcement will close on August 13, 2026 or when 50 applications are received, which ever comes first.
Pay: $52.00 - $60.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Calabasas, CA 91302
