Environmental Planner / Field Biologist

WSP•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

WSP’s Planning & Environment group is seeking an Environmental Planner / Field Biologist to support its environmental planning services. Under close supervision, the role assists with planning, developing, and implementing environmental projects; prepares planning documentation and maps; conducts biological evaluations; and contributes natural resources content to planning documents. The position supports regulatory applications and land-use planning for energy, transportation, and government projects, maintains project tracking and records, and assists with project development requirements in coordination with WSP staff, contractors, and agency and tribal stakeholders. The role includes data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work, with travel potentially occupying up to 75% of the time. It supports land development projects while accounting for natural, social, political, and economic factors and applicable environmental regulations. The employee prepares technical memoranda and reports under supervision, keeps current with regulatory requirements, collaborates on presentation materials and public engagement, and may begin guiding junior staff or interns. Travel involving 1–10 overnight stays may be required, and schedules may extend beyond a typical workweek depending on project needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
1 to 3 years of experience in environmental planning, including environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
Proficiency identifying local plants and animals.
Effective analytical skills and experience with research techniques, local and regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species.
Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable regional, state, and federal regulatory frameworks.
Proficient technical writing skills.
Proficient interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to express ideas effectively and professionally to technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience with discipline-specific software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Record of upholding workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug and alcohol, and harassment policies.
Ability to work schedules that meet project-specific requirements and may extend beyond the typical workweek.
Ability to travel for 1–10 nights depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, or a related field.
Exposure to ArcGIS.
Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public.
Experience participating in or conducting field delineation of wetlands and waters of the United States, or other field or permitting activities.
Experience conducting protocol surveys for special-status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants.
Familiarity with regulations related to NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act, and state and local environmental requirements and reporting, including Environmental Assessments, Biological Assessments, Reclamation Plans, Pre-Construction Notifications, and reclamation and restoration regulations.
Interest in land management and responsible, sustainable development of oil and gas projects, renewable energy infrastructure, roads, bridges, and other projects.

Responsibilities

Assist with planning, developing, and implementing environmental projects to support compliance with environmental laws and regulations under close supervision.
Participate in environmental planning studies and prepare related documentation, including National Environmental Policy Act documents, figures, and maps for environmental and transportation planning studies.
Conduct biological evaluations in support of planning projects.
Contribute natural resources content to planning documents.
Keep current with environmental planning trends and practices.
Coordinate, prepare, and submit regulatory development applications and other land-use planning materials for energy, transportation, or government projects under supervision.
Maintain and design project tracking mechanisms, process designs, and records.
Assist with project development requirements in coordination with WSP personnel, contractors, and agency and tribal stakeholders.
Conduct data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision.
Support land development projects while considering natural, social, political, and economic factors and following applicable environmental regulations and procedures.
Prepare technical memoranda, documentation, and reports under supervision.
Understand applicable regulatory rules and changes.
Begin providing guidance to junior staff or interns to support project flow.
Use company funds and resources responsibly and ethically and follow WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Collaborate with other staff on presentation materials and ideas for public meetings or interactions.
Participate professionally in public and stakeholder engagement.
Perform other duties as required by business needs.