Ecologist

GHD Group Pty Ltd•Houston, TX

About The Position

Join a global professional services leader! We are committed to solving the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and urbanization. Our US Central Environmental business is looking for a mid-level Ecologist to join their Natural Resources, Impact Assessment & Permitting team based in Houston, TX. In this role, you will join a growing team of ecologists/scientists, assist with the management of projects, assist in the collection of biological data and prepare environmental reports and permit applications for federal, state, and local government agencies. This role is ideal for a field-savvy professional with strong technical writing and permitting experience, who thrives in dynamic outdoor environments and enjoys translating field data into meaningful regulatory documentation. The selected candidate will serve as a field lead, demonstrating expertise in natural resource surveys such as wetland delineations and habitat assessments. Preference will be given to individuals who are adaptable, eager to expand their skill set, and capable of applying their field experience to support a diverse range of environmental teams and initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Biology, Ecology or related field
Approximately three to five (3-5) years of experience in environmental consulting, or similar experience
Expertise with local, state and federal environmental regulations and permitting requirements; particularly those associated with USACE Section 10/404, USFWS, TPWD, TCEQ
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work both within a team and independently
Excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects and tasks in a fast-paced environment
Able and willing to travel to job sites as needed for field activities
Able to lift 50 lbs, and work in potential inclement weather

Nice To Haves

Professional certification such as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or qualifications/willingness to obtain such certifications preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a field lead for natural resource surveys, including wetland delineations and habitat assessments for rare, threatened or endangered flora and fauna
Support the collection of biological, chemical, and ecological data to inform environmental assessments and/or to support risk assessment projects
Prepare technical reports and permit applications for federal, state, and local agencies
Collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations
Apply your field expertise to support permitting efforts for a range of industries, including energy (pipelines, facilities, renewables), transportation, water infrastructure, land development, and manufacturing. Experience with public sector and maritime/coastal permitting is also highly valued.
Contribute to a multidisciplinary team by sharing field insights and supporting junior staff development
Support existing GHD clients with the implementation of efficient and innovative solutions to address their project needs
Potential cross-disciplinary support for other environmental service lines such as EHS compliance, emergency response, and contamination assessment & remediation
Personal Capability Building: Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
Health, Safety, and Environment: Follow the organization's health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies, procedures, and mandatory instructions to identify and mitigate environmental risks and risks to the well-being of self and others in the workplace. Identify patterns of risky behavior within the team and take appropriate action to resolve them, escalating serious issues as appropriate.
Client & Customer Management (External): Manage relationships with small clients while also helping senior colleagues manage relationships with larger key clients and customers.
Project Management: Work within an established project management plan to achieve specific goals.
Bid Solicitation/Request for Proposal/Tender Preparation: Gather information and resources, and draft and complete standard requests for bid solicitation requests for proposal (RFP) and requests for tender (RFT) on the requester side.
Community of Practice Management: Participate in a community of practice in a defined area of expertise or consulting to begin to build own expertise.
Solutions Analysis: Analyze specific problems and issues to find the best solutions. Solutions could be technical or professional in nature.
Insights and Reporting: Prepare and coordinate the completion of various data and analytics reports.