Environmental Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Purpose

KLJ is looking for an early to mid-level career Environmental Specialist to join our team. The ideal person would have the aptitude to learn from and work with various clients from municipalities, departments of transportation, state and federal regulatory agencies, and Tribal organizations, as well as private industry, including oil and gas, renewable energy, and residential / commercial developers. Responsibilities will include environmental field surveys, project scope development, report preparation, and environmental permitting. As with all our positions, we are looking for individuals who are looking to grow their careers and be part of a dynamic and growing team.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Must have strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with KLJ team members, clients, and agencies.
• Knowledge and ability to learn and understand local, state, and federal environmental regulatory policies that govern the assigned field surveys, reports, and permits.
• Previous working knowledge or ability to learn and use collection and analytical software, such as ArcGIS, Google Earth, and Excel, among others, to complete environmental reviews and surveys.
• Ensure compliance with KLJ safety and quality standards.
• Able to conduct environmental field surveys with assistance and eventually lead field teams to complete these surveys.
• Ability to collect and analyze data, complete reports, and permit applications with supervision.
• Is accountable for the quality and timeliness of fieldwork and report documentation to meet client and company expectations.

Qualifications

Education :

Preferences :

Relationships

The Environmental Specialist is supervised by the regional supervisor and may receive guidance and direction on project-related tasks from other task leads and project managers. They are expected to complete assignments independently and obtain guidance for unfamiliar tasks, problems, and situations. As they become part of the KLJ team, they may instruct, lead, and mentor others on tasks.

Hours and Travel

This position requires the individual to work 40 hours per week, with potentially 50% of the time spent in the office and 50% in the field, depending on weather and season. Travel to remote locations and overnight stays may be part of the field efforts.

Physical Requirements

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

The employee is regularly required to :

The employee must :

Other Duties

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive, and other duties may be assigned. It is a description of the job as presently defined and is subject to revision at any time. This announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.

Under general supervision, provides technical assistance for the collection, identification, and compiling of observational and spatial data concerning a variety of biological, physical, and earth sciences. Provides support to senior technical staff and project managers for environmental studies and permitting projects. Tasks may include assisting with the development of processes and infrastructure relating to water supply, air emission, pollution control, and cultural impacts. Responsible for generating accurate and concise documentation from data and observations and integrating physical, chemical, and biological components. Ensures that assigned responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards. Under general supervision, collect, identify, and compile observational, spatial, and environmental data through investigations and surveys. Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements and analysis of environmental data. Perform basic professional environmental science work relating to ecological systems, air, and water resources, verifying the characteristics of a site, and providing technical assistance on various environmental issues. Contribute to the preparation of technical reports summarizing research with findings and conclusions, generating complete, accurate, and concise documentation. Comply with safety guidelines and site-specific health and safety procedures. Assist with maintaining tools, calibration of equipment, troubleshooting or reporting equipment malfunctions, and performing inventory control activities. Assist senior technical staff and project managers with environmental risk identification and assessment, and as needed, offer input and analysis of activities to help minimize impacts on safety and potential environmental impacts. Assist with work plan preparation and coordination of fieldwork and potentially operate as field lead. Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine the exact locations of project areas, site impact, habitat types, and associated physical and wildlife sensitivities. Complete training on assigned tasks, participating in cross-training opportunities with other teams and disciplines within the company when needed Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and adhere to professional conduct and KLJ’s policies and procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field. 1 to 3 years of experience working as an environmental scientist / specialist and completing environmental surveys, fieldwork, and impact assessments, and / or construction monitoring. Prior experience with GIS software, Trimble GPS units, and data collection processes. Working knowledge of analytical methods, research techniques, and ecology and habitats. Highly familiar with relevant environmental laws, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements. Strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a scientific and non-scientific audience. Capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives. Proficiency with technical writing, Office software (e.g., Word, Excel), communication software (e.g., Teams), and other data collection devices (e.g., iPads). Prior experience with GIS software and GPS units is desirable. Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical work week. Due to occasional travel a valid driver’s license is required. Establishing Personal Capability : Practicing Level Impacting Organizational Capability : Developing Level Developing Professional Capability : Developing Level The physical demands described represent 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. The employee is regularly required to : Sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl Use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms Talk or hear and communicate clearly Environmental Specialist that spend a majority of their time in field must : Be able to walk on uneven terrain up to ten miles per day Frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Environmental Specialist that spend a majority of time in office must : Be able to occasionally walk on uneven terrain up to two miles per day Frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds and infrequently up to 50 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Field Staff - This position requires the individual work 40 or more hours per week with 60% of the time spent in the field and 40% in the office. Office Staff - This position requires the individual work 40 hours per week with 85% of time spent in the office and 15% in the field.