Watershed Scientist/Ecologist - Forestry Specialist

Matrix has been named a Zweig Group 2024 Best Firm to Work For and a 2024 Hot Firm!  

About Matrix: Matrix Design Group, Inc., an employee-owned planning, engineering, and environmental consulting firm is actively seeking a Watershed Scientist/Ecologist – Forestry Specialist in our Colorado Springs, Denver or Phoenix offices. As an employee-owned company we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, respect, and excellence.

Our strengths of service, innovation, and skill are a result of that belief. We have a friendly, collegial, cooperative atmosphere and offer a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; holiday, vacation, and sick leave; training and education; 401(k) and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Matrix employees are encouraged to participate in employee wellness programs, social committees, and community outreach programs. We strive to employ highly motivated people with excellent communication and applied problem-solving skills who desire to advance their talents and skills.

Salary Range: $65,000.00 To $85,000.00 Annually.  Salary will be dependent upon experience.

Job Summary: The Ecologist - Forestry Specialist will have technical expertise in wildfire management planning, fuels/vegetation management, wildfire management policies, standards, and methods, and current wildfire and ecology research and applications. Experience with urban forestry, watershed management, or urban wildlife management is a plus. The Ecologist - Forestry Specialist will work collaboratively with other ecologists, scientists, engineers, planners, and landscape architects to support a variety of ecological resource projects or tasks. Types of projects and tasks may include, but not be limited to site assessments, data collection, planning, permitting, agency coordination, habitat design, GIS modeling, analysis, plant identification, public engagement, marketing, and business development. The Ecologist – Forestry Specialist will be an integral part of building the Ecological Services Center of Excellence for Matrix. 

Essential Functions:

• Provide project management including maintaining scope, schedule, and budget for projects including, but not limited to pre-fire planning and mitigation work, post-fire restoration, park and open space design and management, urban forestry management, stream restoration, master and conservation planning, habitat mapping, and or vegetation monitoring and adaptive management.
• Working knowledge of key federal and state Forestry rules and regulations, including but not limited to: Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.  
• Perform Forestry surveys and habitat assessments.
• Provide plant identification and vegetation assessments.
• Provide forest planning and post fire restoration.
• Provide environmental compliance negotiation and oversight.
• Prepare permit applications.
• Provide technical support for open space planning and design, stream restoration, and development projects.
• Perform GIS modeling and analysis.
• Provide soil sampling and analysis.
• Provide reporting support by generating and formatting text, tables, charts, and graphs.
• Review RFPs and support proposal development.

Competencies:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency with database creation and management
• Proficiency with GPS units and ArcGIS.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Initiative and ability to solve problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong background in environmental data management and analysis. NEPA experience a plus
• Networking and business development.
• Ability to travel to the field and assist in field efforts.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

 Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited program in forestry, water resources, natural resource management, or another related field; master’s degree a plus.
• 3 to 8 years of directly related experience.
• Experience with providing data deliverables contract/client-specified format.
• Laboratory and/or field analysis and sampling experience desired.
• Valid driver's license, in conjunction with successfully passing the Company’s MVR.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Matrix Design Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against based on disability. 

The expected salary range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. 

Any applicant with a qualifying physical or mental disability who believes s/he requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact us at 719-575-0100 for assistance. 

How to Apply:

Please apply online at http://www.matrixdesigngroup.com/careers