Senior Biologist 1

For over 60 years, DOWL has thrived as an established, highly reputable, professional services consulting firm, recognizing that the foundation of our past, present, and our future is our people.  DOWL’s foundation is built upon four core values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation, and Inspiration.  These values are rooted in everything we do. As a valued partner on our team, you will be one of the People Who Make It Happen!

Summary

The Senior Biologist 1 demonstrates mastery of natural resource regulations, standards, laws, field observation techniques and procedures, and reporting requirements. Job duties include conducting online research, data assessment and documentation, report preparation, permit writing, agency coordination, field assessments and studies for complex projects. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, a desire to learn new concepts, and have excellent organizational, leadership and communication skills. The Senior Biologist 1 works autonomously but their work will be reviewed by others. They will also review the work of others with less experience and provide training and mentoring to others on the team. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and provide useful and constructive feedback to others.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project) - Advanced
• Market Sector Software - Advanced

Technical Expertise

• Mastery of technical fundamentals
• Highly efficient at providing technical solutions to the most complex challenges and guides others towards the same
• Works with market sector leaders to advance technical skills within the team

Teamwork

Technical leader/mentor on large/complex projects. Has excellent communication skills, answers questions from those with less experience, and takes action based on the needs of the team.

Project Delivery

• Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:
  • Technical reports and memos
  • Wetland Delineation Reports
  • Endangered Species Act (ESA) Sec 7 consultation documents
  • Clean Water Act (CWA) Sec. 404/401 documents
  • Botanical reports
  • Habitat assessments
  • Other NR documents as assigned
  • Other client-specific NR docs
  • Other state-specific NR docs
  • Developing mastery understanding of field techniques/practices/knowledge necessary to produce NR documents
• Actively mentors and coaches others in field techniques

The above are a small sampling of deliverables and field techniques; other documents and field skills may apply.

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex projects. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Advanced proficiency in interpreting, understanding, and employing the following laws and regulations:
  • Endangered Species Act
  • Clean Water Act
  • National Environmental Policy Act
  • Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
  • Migratory Bird Treaty Act
  • Magnuson-Stevens Act
  • Other Federal laws and executive orders related to natural resources
  • Relevant State and local laws related to natural resources
• Actively mentors and coaches others on interpreting, understanding and employing the laws and regulations
• Advanced understanding of the regulatory process, procedures, timelines, compliance concerns and requirements of the regulatory oversight of natural resource protection laws and regulations
• May participate in public comment process when federal and state laws are periodically updated and revised
• Works closely with regulatory partners in providing user feedback on implementing natural resource laws and regulations

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Engages as industry expert on complex projects and pursuits. Leads technical aspects of project interviews. Mentors others on above.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Efficiently performs the most technically complex and demanding technical work without supervision. Reviews the work of others and mentors others on complex project tasks. May also perform project management duties as needed.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Master's Degree preferred
• Years of experience required: 15 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 14 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Working towards highest level of relevant certification and client-specific certification (e.g., CERP, Wildlife Society, American Fisheries Society, etc.) (if available)
• For Wetlands, PWS required
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will need the ability to drive or ride on all-terrain vehicle; ability to ride in small plane or helicopter; ability to cut brush with machete or shears; ability to dig with shovel or digging bars; kneel for extended periods of time; ability to walk and hike through rough terrain, heavy vegetation, snow, and ice; occasionally carry between 30 and 50 pounds; driving in stakes and rebar (monuments). May need to work at remote sites.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be split between the field and office. Field work is performed outdoors during year-round weather conditions. Work ranges from high-density urban to extremely remote settings. Individuals must be prepared to adapt quickly from one extreme to the other.

In the field: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal if in a remote area to moderately loud if work is in proximity to construction sites and related equipment.

In the office: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Geographical locations are taken into consideration with respect to compensation.