Senior Project Environmental Scientist

GFT. • Tampa, FL

5d • $90,000 - $135,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is seeking a Senior Project Environmental Scientist to join our established and growing Environmental Team and based out of one of our offices in Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, or Ft. Lauderdale. GFT’s environmental professionals bring unparalleled expertise to tackle the most challenging environmental assignments. We deliver innovative solutions for foundations, earth structures, groundwater resources, dams, underground construction, and building sites. We excel in designing building and transportation infrastructure, addressing landslides, sinkholes, mine subsidence, slope stability, and seepage issues. Our group offers a diverse base of technical expertise to offer professionals the ability to specialize and advance skills. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing environmental team, apply your environmental skills, and contribute to high profile infrastructure projects. You will interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and colleagues while working on fast paced and challenging environmental projects. This position will offer the right person significant opportunities for professional growth, specialized training, and leadership. As a Senior Environmental Scientist, you will integrate into a team of environmental scientists, planners, and project managers to deliver a range of environmental projects within various sectors, including transportation infrastructure (road/bridge), transit/rail, water/wastewater, power, etc. This role offers the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, giving access to a broad knowledge base with the support of experts across the business.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Planning, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of practical experience working in the natural environmental field, such as environmental resource permitting and/or federal Section 404 permitting, wetland surveys and assessments, protected species surveys, preparing natural environmental documentation for NEPA compliance.
• Ability to travel/drive to company offices and complete field assignments within Florida with occasional overnight stays. Some days may require early start times.
• Public speaking capabilities to participate in professional presentations and Q&As.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat applications, and file sharing systems (e.g., SharePoint).
• Demonstrated sense of urgency and ability to transition between multiple work assignments on a regular basis, with a strong commitment to ensuring client satisfaction, achieving goals and objectives.
• Excellent self-management, time management and organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and multi-task.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, team oriented and ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in Florida’s challenging outdoor environment.

Nice To Haves

• A graduate degree in the above areas is considered an asset.
• Experience with both NEPA and environmental permitting.
• Knowledge of Florida’s ecological communities and classifications, floral and faunal species.
• An understanding of transportation, transit and municipal infrastructure construction projects gained through practical experience.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and drawings.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements related to noise, historical, archaeology, air quality, land use, listed species, etc.
• Experience mentoring junior environmental staff to nurture knowledge and growth.
• Flexibility in work environments and ability/openness to work as in-house consultant staff for state agencies, either in-person or virtually.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and report data related to biological natural sciences such as habitats, wildlife, water quality, soils, etc. to support NEPA project documents and local, state and federal permit applications.
• Field delineate and characterize wetlands in accordance with federal and state criteria
• Conduct protected floral and faunal surveys
• Collect, analyze, and report data on potential contamination and hazardous materials
• Use ArcPro software (GIS) for data collection, analysis, and compilation of data and exhibits for reports
• Interpret relevant environmental legislation at the state and federal levels.
• Prepare permit applications (e.g. environmental resource permits, Section 404 and 408 permits, local agency natural resource permits)
• Coordinate closely with the engineering design team to ensure technical and environmental workstreams are closely aligned.
• Direct and manage a project team of environmental and technical disciplines (including subconsultants) as part of NEPA and permitting processes.
• Carry out public involvement activities including public meetings, technical meetings, preparation of communication materials, stakeholder responses and comment tracking.
• Liaise with regulatory agencies and assist in preparing consultation strategies and meeting materials accordingly.
• Prepare environmental impact assessments including undertaking assessment of potential effects, development of mitigation/monitoring strategies, net effects analysis, and best management practice approaches.
• Monitor project schedules, scopes and budgets in accordance with the project management plan.
• Coordinate environmental aspects of projects through planning, design, contract specifications, and/or construction.
• Support business development pursuits, including proposal preparation, development of technical workplans and preparation of project fee estimates.

Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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