What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Environmental Biologist position at WSP?
This Opportunity
Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for the collection, identification, compiling, and analysis of observational and spatial data concerning a variety of natural resources. Provides support and guidance for environmental permitting projects across multiple sectors with an emphasis on renewable energy. Ensures that documentation and recommendations accurately describe the results of analyses and addresses environmental impact and complies with applicable laws, regulations, and policies suitable for permit documentation. Assists project leadership with environmental impact assessment, corrective/mitigation strategy development, permitting, and/or restoration activities. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.
Your Impact
- Lead and provide guidance with data collection efforts for identifying wetlands, streams, marine areas, sensitive habitats, and other natural resources for projects.
- Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, habitat types, and associated physical and wildlife sensitivities.
- Analyze literature, data and other sources of information to uncover direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts.
- Prepare and complete environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, SEPA, NEPA, Local Critical Areas and Shoreline Codes, etc.).
- Prepare documents for local, state, and federal permitting including JARPAs, Biological Assessments, critical areas reports, Hydraulic Project Approvals, Shoreline Management Act compliance, and SEPA approvals,
- Perform professional environmental science work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs.
- Prepare and deliver comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore mid- to larger-scale environmental problems.
- Be a part of a cross-functional team executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory compliance.
- Conduct desk-based research, fieldwork, and/or laboratory work, including measurements, data interpretation, and computer modeling.
- Provide environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
- Assist with development and scoping of small, medium-to large-sized projects.
- Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
- Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
- Remain current in latest environmental science subject matter and techniques.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
- Minimum 1 year of related post-education experience working as an environmental scientist and completing environmental surveys, fieldwork, habitat and impact assessments, and/or construction monitoring.
- Specific background and expertise should consist of strong environmental science / ecology skills with specific ecosystem, habitat, and/or applicable species.
- Expertise and experience with relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable local/state/federal regulatory framework.
- Established experience coordinating with project teams, regulatory permitting and resource agencies.
- Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing environmental science technical reports, environmental impact evaluations, siting reports, and environmental permit applications and licensing, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations (e.g. commercial, renewable energy, infrastructure, etc.)
- Well-developed expertise with conducting NEPA / SEPA / other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
- Highly capable self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work independently and provide guidance to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
- Proficiency with technical writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
- Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree is preferred.
- Essential professional licensure/certification.
- Be proficient with ESRI products including ArcGIS Pro and Online softwares. Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.
#LI-AC2
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
