Scientist, Compliance Monitoring - Environmental Services

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

8d

About The Position

This open position with First Energy Service Company is within the Environmental Department and supports FirstEnergy’s operating states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. The selected candidate may be offered a position at a lower level within the same job family, based on the interview process and consideration of skills, work history, experience, and other qualifications.

The position involves conducting and/or managing environmental and engineering-related work associated with construction of electric transmission and distribution lines and electrical substations. Work includes obtaining federal, state, and local environmental permits; monitoring permit compliance; developing and negotiating mitigation strategies; threatened and endangered species consultation; erosion and sedimentation control plan development and review; stormwater management; avoidance and minimization measures; impact assessments; and coordination with regulatory and governmental agencies. The role requires field work and occasional overnight travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife/Zoology, Environmental or Physical Sciences/Studies, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum zero years of experience; relevant fields include applicable federal and state regulations associated with earth disturbance, wetlands and watercourses, threatened and endangered species, historic resources, environmental compliance monitoring, and general engineering principles.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and experience with third-party customers or stakeholders.
• Strong project management and budgeting/cost-control experience.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions when selecting an appropriate path to resolution.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with environmental issues and permitting in the energy sector, particularly energy delivery.
• Permitting and regulatory experience related to the referenced fields of study in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and/or New Jersey.
• Experience managing field investigations involving wetlands, watercourses, and threatened or endangered species.
• Training or field experience associated with linear projects.
• Wetland delineator and/or endangered species certification.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of programs that achieve environmental regulatory obligations for construction of electrical transmission lines and substations cost-effectively and manage environmental risks.
• Support preparation of permit packages, regulatory reports, and submittals.
• Assess project needs and procure services from outside consultants as needed to ensure project delivery.
• Review reports, studies, and recommendations prepared by outside consultants and provide comments.
• Assist with preparing technical documents such as environmental impact reports and communicate results to industry, government, or public audiences.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, groups, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies.
• Assess the impacts of environmental laws and regulations on energy delivery facilities and operations, prepare comments on proposed activities, and provide guidance and training on regulatory requirements.
• Communicate and present information in a timely manner to a variety of audiences.
• Perform storm-duty as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level