Scientist

ERM•Overland Park, KS

About The Position

ERM is hiring a Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist to support its Capital Project Delivery team on development and infrastructure projects across the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. The role supports renewable energy, power, technology, oil and gas, and other capital projects through environmental permitting, impact assessments, ecological investigations, and compliance work. This is a primarily field-based position with extensive opportunities to develop expertise in wetland delineations, protected species management, environmental permitting, and erosion and sedimentation control compliance. Field assignments are expected to occupy 50% to 80% of the role during the April-to-October field season. The Consultant works with multidisciplinary teams and supports project delivery from planning through execution, producing technical analyses, reports, data, and recommendations for clients.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
3 to 5 years of relevant environmental experience or professional internships.
Familiarity with field survey techniques and WOTUS delineations, including 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.
Willingness and desire 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 the current NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.
Detail orientation, critical thinking, and troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Effective written, verbal, organizational, and analytical skills.
Experience recording and writing detailed technical data and reports and building tables and spreadsheets, including tabulating and manipulating data.
Ability to collaborate with a team of experts in multifaceted and dynamic situations throughout the project lifecycle.
Ability to multitask, remain flexible, and work independently with minimal supervision.
Consultant attributes including teamwork, eagerness to learn and grow, initiative, versatility, and a service orientation.
Strong organization and attention to detail while maintaining a broader project perspective.
High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
Valid driver’s license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle, with frequent travel to client locations across a large geographic area.
Ability to pass a pre-hire background check and drug test.
Ability to tolerate summer and winter weather conditions while working in the field.
Ability to walk long distances over potentially rough terrain.
Ability to 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 Wetlands Delineation Manuals and applicable regional supplements.
Provide technical analyses in the employee’s field of specialization and support work outside that discipline in collaboration with subject matter experts and multidisciplinary teams.
Provide technical assistance on capital infrastructure and other projects, including NEPA environmental assessments and impact statements, environmental due diligence, rare, threatened, and endangered species habitat assessments, WOTUS delineations and reports, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, and related documentation.
Conduct field surveys, collect and organize field data, perform research and literature reviews, write technical reports, and develop client recommendations and strategies.
Conduct environmental assessment tasks, including land-use planning and facility siting, pipeline and transmission routing studies, renewable energy environmental assessments and reporting, and development of permit matrices and risk assessments.
Assist in preparing project-specific compliance management plans under applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Perform multi-media permitting and compliance documentation, with an emphasis on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and state and local agencies.
Deliver work within quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations while developing an understanding of project management responsibilities.
Support ERM Partners-in-Charge and Project Managers in delivering client value.
Contribute as a member of the Capital Project Delivery team and support the success of the practice.