Wetland Biologist

Description

EnviroScience, Inc., headquartered in Stow, Ohio, with additional offices in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, is a niche provider of environmental consulting services. We employ over 170 highly skilled and technical employees that develop unique, cost-effective solutions for our clients’ environmental, infrastructure and regulatory needs. Our clients repeatedly choose EnviroScience because of our technical expertise, client advocacy, high quality work, and outstanding reputation with regulators and industry executives.

Position Summary

EnviroScience is looking to hire a full-time, Wetland Biologist to support our North Carolina Natural Resources Division. This position will best fit someone who can work independently and successfully manage multiple tasks, exhibits scientific writing skills, and has experience and a background in wetland science, botany, soils, and hydrology. This role involves conducting field surveys, completing associated forms and reports, and communicating this information to project managers and/or clients. Requirements of this position include but are not limited to field work and report writing, assisting with proposal efforts, management of projects, and mentoring other employees. This field portion of this role involves conducting field surveys, delineating boundaries of aquatic resources, and measuring and monitoring the health of aquatic systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Field Work and Surveys
• Conduct wetland assessments/delineations, stream assessments, and wetland assessments in North and South Carolina and other areas as needed.
• Collect data on soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife within wetlands and streams.
• Collect and record field data accurately and efficiently.
• Utilize data collection devices (e.g. GPS) and GIS tools to map and document site conditions.
• Conduct rare/threatened/endangered species habitat surveys in North and South Carolina and other areas as needed.

Reporting and Permitting
• Complete data forms from information collected in the field.
• Prepare draft technical reports and survey results.
• Accurately complete Wetland Assessment and Delineation reports.
• Advise clients on impact assessments and mitigation requirements using the South
Carolina SOP Method and NCSAM/WAM Assessment Methods.
• Identify any other potential permits or agency coordination the project may need.
• Initiate review of federal, state, and local wetland and stream regulations.
• Prepare thorough permit application components for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 Permit program and associated state (NCDWR and SCDHEC) permitting programs.
• Independently prepare technical reports and permit documents, and maintain excellent communication with project managers, clients, employees, and subcontractors.
• Consult with clients regarding ecological considerations for site development including wetland and stream permitting options and threatened and endangered (T&E) species
• Develop and submit project reports to various agencies and entities.
• Conduct work year-round in adverse weather and rough terrain.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Work Environment

This candidate will need to collaborate effectively with other coworkers and supervisors. Additionally, this candidate needs to be able to complete project work independently with minimal supervision. Work assignments may include consecutive days in the office working on reporting or outdoors in all kinds of weather, and sometimes in remote and challenging locations. Overnight stays to complete field work are part of this position.

This position is an office-based role. Employees will work a schedule which includes office work on location in the Hendersonville, North Carolina office and travel to offsite field work at various locations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
• Education: B.S./B.A. degree in natural science field of study
• Experience: 1 years wetland delineation field experience

Physical Requirements:
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time
• Repeat motions that may include the wrist, hands, and/or fingers
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds
• Communication with others to exchange information. Must be able to see, read, write, and speak.
• Occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Walking for periods of time including maneuvering uneven, uphill, and downhill terrain
 

Travel Requirements:
• % of travel time: 50%-75%; varies with fluctuation in workload and work location
 

Desired Skills:

• Ability to delineate wetlands independently

• Ability to read and interpret resource and engineering drawings

• Ability to key out and identify plants using identification manuals

• Consultative or educational approach to client relationships

• Tolerant of outdoors working conditions, remote locations, all weather conditions

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Experience with technical report writing

• Self-motivated and organized

• Thrives in independent/solo work environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• 40-hour Wetland Delineation training

• Experience with local and regional flora identification

• Experience with soil classification

• Familiar with state and federal regulations, the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Manual, and current Regional Supplements

• Familiar with preparing 404 and 401 permit applications through federal and state agencies including USACE, DEP/EPA.

• Familiar with Coastal County permitting requirements in North and/or South Carolina

• Experience with agency permitting

• Experience coordinating with state and federal agencies regarding threatened and endangered species, floodplain development, historic/archaeological, etc.

• Experience with Global Position Systems (GPS)

• Experience with AutoCAD or GIS

• Additional background in fisheries, endangered species, herpetology, or amphibians

• Project and/or client management