Biologist

ERO Resources•Grand Junction, CO

10h•$70,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Biologist I is responsible for undertaking multiple project responsibilities, including field direction and project management, and are expected to carry projects from proposal to completion with little supervisory oversight. Biologist I’s are knowledgeable in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of scientific information and environmental regulations and will prepare environmental documents including wetland delineation reports, technical reports, sections of NEPA documents and environmental permits, and are responsible for agency coordination. Biologist I is a leadership role that includes business development and marketing, project management and mentoring duties. This position will include both fieldwork and office duties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, environmental science, ecological restoration, natural resource planning, or similar discipline.
At least 10 years of applicable experience.
Colorado-based experience preferred.
Effectively communicate and delegate tasks for complex projects to junior staff, GIS staff and other team members.
Independently and efficiently prepare reports and scopes for complex projects such as individual permits, biological assessments, or technical reports for NEPA projects.
Meet deadlines and hours per task targets, communicate early any potential failure to meet these targets with Clients or Principals.
Clear understanding of regulations and demonstrate ability to communicate regulations to agencies and clients.
Have strong positive relationships with Clients and agencies.
Undertake professional agency correspondence and coordination, including permit acquisition.
Partake in professional development and trainings.
Market and interact with Clients and actively participate in business development.
Uses collaborative skills to build a strong team environment and work independently when necessary.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products and Adobe Acrobat.
Proficiency in digital data entry including Access database, Trimble GPS, and tablets.
Effective communication skills – written and verbal.
Organization, managing multiple priorities, oversite of project staff and deliverables.
Proven ability to conduct project management tasks and handle multiple priorities including oversite of project staff and deliverables, using available tools to produce regulatory compliant and on-budget project deliverables.
Proficiency in leading field crews.
Ability to collaborate with teams, clients, and regulatory agencies.
In depth understanding of natural resource regulations, including Clean Water Act, CDPHE State Dredge and Fill requirements, Endangered Species Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Use applicable manuals, guidelines, or assessment methods to identify, document, and evaluate natural resources.
Experience in participating and undertaking field projects to develop technically sound scopes of work and reasonable cost proposals.
Researching, developing, and writing technical reports on natural resources.
Effective communication with clients, regulatory agencies, staff, and supervisor.
Creative thinking to adjust to unforeseen circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferable.

Responsibilities

Undertake multiple project responsibilities, including field direction and project management.
Carry projects from proposal to completion with little supervisory oversight.
Prepare environmental documents including wetland delineation reports, technical reports, sections of NEPA documents and environmental permits.
Responsible for agency coordination.
Business development and marketing.
Project management.
Mentoring duties.
Conduct tasks safely, independently, and efficiently.
Meet project schedule requirements and demands.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner in all work settings, representing ERO with respectful courteous behavior and a positive workplace attitude.
Interact with Clients, attend in person meetings, marketing events and conferences, and prepare scopes and proposal documents.
Actively pursue and build relationships with new clients and projects.
Prepare and review technical and cost proposals.
Manage assigned personnel, including conducting yearly employee development and performance reviews.
Participate in hiring and team capacity planning.
Establish and enforce team safety guidelines.
Provide mentoring and leadership to junior staff.
Assist in personnel management, including conflict resolution.
Complete professional agency correspondence and coordination.
Establish fieldwork and reporting schedule and providing project updates to staff and clients.
Manage client communication and coordination.
Initiate, conduct and/or manage project tasks, and conclude projects, including database reviews, field surveys, and reporting.
Manage budgeting and deadlines for simple to complex projects.
Project scheduling and supervision of staff-level biologists, technicians, and field teams.
Developing innovative approaches to Section 404 (CWA), Section 7 (ESA) and other regulatory compliance.
Maintaining and ensuring scientific and regulatory integrity.
Delegate and oversee completion of desktop review prior to fieldwork.
Oversee all tasks during fieldwork, including completion of field forms, photography, mapping with a GPS, or documenting site conditions.
Delegate field work and clearly explain scope, tasks, and budget for field requirements.
Effectively lead and manage field crews.
Verify compliance with safety plan and completion of safety checklists.
Ensure that all field forms completed by assigned crew are filled out accurately and completely.
Complete resource documentation on applicable forms.
Check work for accuracy, clarity, and editorial errors.
Complete basic and complex regulatory documents independently, thoroughly, within schedule, and within budget.
Delegate report documentation to junior staff efficiently and communicate clearly budget, scope, tasks, and schedule.
Prepare and complete large technical reports such as individual permits, biological assessments, or technical reports for NEPA projects, with little direction needed from project managers or principals.
Work with GIS staff to modify and create figures for reports.
Work with editors to review final deliverable.
Effectively communicate with Clients.
Coordinate with Clients efficiently and effectively on regulations, project requirements, schedule, and deliverables.
Be proactive, take initiative, and assist with Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
Set an example for seasonal staff or field technicians through professional, hard, and focused work.
Continue educational opportunities as part of professional development and as responsible biologists.
Mentor and provide training opportunities to junior staff in scoping (including budgeting, scheduling, and staffing), technical expertise/methods, regulations, reports, and client/agency communications.
Assist with hiring/training interns and junior staff as needed.
Assist leading resource meetings and developing standards/guidance documents for team.