Scientist

ERM•Overland Park, KS

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

ERM is seeking a Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist to support its Capital Project Delivery (CPD) team. The role contributes to environmental permitting, ecological assessments, compliance initiatives, and critical infrastructure projects for clients in renewable energy, power, technology, oil and gas, and other sectors. Projects span the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. This is a primarily field-based opportunity involving environmental assessments, wetland delineations, ecological field investigations, and protected species and habitat evaluations. The consultant supports clients in identifying environmental risks, meeting federal, state, and local requirements, and advancing development responsibly. The position also includes research, field-data collection and management, technical analysis and reporting, permitting and compliance documentation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary project teams. The posting states that field assignments may account for 50% to 80% of work time during the April-to-October field season.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
Three to five years of relevant environmental experience or professional internships.
Familiarity with field survey techniques and WOTUS delineations.
Working knowledge of sub-meter-accuracy GPS technologies and digital data collection platforms such as ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, and/or Bio App.
Strong commitment to safety and willingness to support field assignments 50% to 80% of the time during the April-to-October field season.
Working knowledge of plant identification and facultative ratings, the 50/20 rule, soil sampling, hydric soil identification using current NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.
Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
Effective written, verbal, organizational, and analytical skills.
Experience recording and writing detailed technical data and reports and building, tabulating, and manipulating data in tables and spreadsheets.
Ability to collaborate in dynamic, multifaceted situations and work through the project lifecycle.
Ability to multitask, remain flexible, and work independently with minimal supervision.
Consultant attributes including teamwork, eagerness to learn, initiative, versatility, and a service-oriented approach.
High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
Valid driver’s license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle, as duties require frequent travel to client locations.
Ability to pass a pre-hire background check and drug test.
Ability to tolerate summer and winter weather while working in the field, walk long distances over potentially rough terrain, and lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading field-based WOTUS work, including wetland delineations using the 1987 Corps Wetland Delineation Manual and applicable regional supplements.
Experience performing protected species assessments and habitat evaluations.
Experience researching rare, threatened, and endangered species using federal and state databases.
Experience managing environmental field data and preparing technical reports for land development projects.
Exposure to environmental permitting, NEPA documentation, environmental due diligence, and compliance management programs.
Experience supporting renewable energy, power, technology, oil and gas, or other capital infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

Perform wetland delineations using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manuals and applicable regional supplements.
Conduct field surveys and ecological investigations; collect, organize, and manage field data.
Support environmental assessments, permitting efforts, ecological analyses, and regulatory approvals.
Assess rare, threatened, and endangered species and habitat, including research using federal and state databases.
Prepare environmental assessments and impact statements under NEPA, environmental due diligence materials, WOTUS delineations and reports, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, and related documentation.
Conduct research and literature reviews, write technical reports, develop recommendations, and prepare tables, spreadsheets, and other project deliverables.
Support land-use planning and facility siting, pipeline and transmission routing studies, renewable energy assessments, permit matrices, and environmental risk assessments.
Assist with project-specific compliance management plans and multi-media permitting and compliance documentation for federal, state, and local agencies.
Collaborate with subject matter experts and multidisciplinary teams, including supporting analyses outside the consultant’s primary discipline as appropriate.
Work within project quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations while developing project-management skills.
Support ERM Partners-in-Charge and Project Managers in delivering client value and contribute to the Capital Project Delivery team.
Travel frequently to client locations across a large geographic area and perform field work in varied weather and terrain conditions.