Regulatory Specialist IV -Ecological Restoration

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

RES is seeking a Regulatory Specialist IV with deep environmental permitting expertise to support restoration, mitigation, and environmental project delivery in California. This role is ideal for a senior regulatory professional who understands how to navigate complex agency requirements, prepare and review high-quality permit documents, evaluate project risk, and serve as a trusted technical resource for project teams, clients, and regulatory partners.

The Regulatory Specialist IV will lead and support environmental permitting efforts across multiple project phases, from early feasibility and proposal support through project development, agency coordination, implementation, compliance, and closeout. This position requires strong technical judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical project strategies.

Why You’ll Love This Job

You will play a key role in advancing meaningful ecological restoration and mitigation projects across California. Your work will directly support project feasibility, regulatory approvals, compliance, and long-term project success.

You’ll collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including scientists, engineers, project managers, client solutions professionals, and field staff, while serving as a senior regulatory resource across complex projects. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving regulatory challenges, building productive agency relationships, mentoring others, and helping shape project strategy.

Your Day-to-Day

In this role, you will:

• Independently prepare, review, and support environmental permit applications, permit documents, regulatory reports, and agency submittals.
• Lead regulatory strategy for projects involving California permitting requirements and key federal and state regulations.
• Support permitting related to regulations such as CWA 404/401, CDFW 2081/1600, CEQA, NWP/IP, NPDES, ESA, the 2008 Mitigation Rule, and other applicable environmental requirements.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, clients, consultants, and internal project teams to move projects through permitting and approval processes.
• Analyze field data, identify project impacts and benefits, site regulatory constraints, and permitting requirements to support project decisions.
• Review and interpret maps, design plans, drawings, technical reports, and project documents.
• Develop schedules, communicate expectations, and coordinate timely completion of regulatory deliverables.
• Produce clear, accurate technical documents and review or edit technical documents prepared by others.
• Support field data collection, sampling protocols, QA/QC, and field documentation as needed.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level staff.
• Communicate project risks, regulatory requirements, and recommended approaches to project teams and leadership.
• Support client communication, public presentations, and agency meetings as needed.

We’d Love to Talk to You If You Have Many of the Following

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, physical sciences, environmental science, law, environmental policy or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant environmental or regulatory experience, or 8+ years of experience with an advanced degree.
• Expertise preparing and submitting environmental permit documents in California.
• Advanced understanding of environmental regulations, permits, agency approvals, and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., CWA 404/401, CDFW 2081/1600, CEQA, NWP/IP, NPDES, ESA, 2008 Mitigation Rule).
• Working relationships with regulatory agencies and the ability to navigate agency expectations.
• Strong technical writing, document review, and regulatory reporting experience.
• Proficiency in field data collection, sampling protocols, and QA/QC procedures.
• Advanced knowledge in at least one environmental discipline and intermediate knowledge in several others, such as local and regional flora and fauna, hydrology, threatened and endangered species, soils, wetlands, stream morphology, water quality, environmental contamination, geology, ecology, biology, fisheries, or similar scientific disciplines
• GIS experience and the ability to work with maps, spatial data, and GIS-based project information.
• Ability to interpret design plans, project drawings, maps, and technical documents.

What Will Make You Stand Out

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, environmental, policy, or legal discipline.
• Strong existing relationships with California regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading complex permitting strategies for restoration, mitigation, infrastructure, renewable energy, or environmental compliance projects.

You Will Thrive in This Job If You Are

• A clear communicator who can explain complex regulatory issues to technical teams, clients, agencies, and non-technical stakeholders.
• A strategic thinker who understands how permitting decisions affect project feasibility, schedule, budget, compliance, and long-term success.
• Detail-oriented and committed to producing accurate, high-quality work products.
• Comfortable leading teams, coordinating across disciplines, and helping others stay aligned on priorities and deliverables.
• Able to balance independent technical judgment with collaboration and input from project teams.
• Proactive in identifying risks, constraints, and opportunities early in the project lifecycle.

California Pay Range

$102,000—$125,000 USD

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.