Wetland and Restoration Ecologist – Senior Level (Hybrid)

Barr • Minneapolis, MN

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

Barr is seeking a senior environmental consultant with strong expertise in wetlands, ecological restoration, and botanical sciences to join our Minneapolis team. This role focuses on planning, design support, and management of wetland, fen, and natural community restoration projects, along with supporting responsibilities in environmental permitting and regulatory coordination. As a technical and project leader, you’ll work closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to define restoration goals, develop implementation strategies, and navigate permitting requirements. The work includes leading wetland delineations, botanical and/or ecological surveys, restoration planning, and post-restoration monitoring—integrating these efforts with engineering design and construction—while applying strong interpersonal skills and clear oral and written communication to support client service, mentoring, and schedule-driven project delivery. Work environment: ability to work in locations that feature rough terrain typical of construction or outdoor field sites with limited accessibility, moving machinery, and other conditions typical of rural areas or industrial facilities. Candidates must be able to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Hybrid: a hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position can be based out of Barr's Minneapolis, MN office.

Requirements

• Education: bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, natural resources management, environmental science, biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 20 or more years of relevant professional experience, with significant demonstrated experience in wetland science, botanical surveys, and ecological restoration.
• Technical expertise: proven experience performing and/or overseeing wetland delineations, vegetation surveys, and restoration planning and implementation, including wetlands and fens.
• Project leadership: proven experience managing complex projects, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams, and serving as a primary client point of contact.
• Regulatory experience: experience with key regulatory programs and permitting requirements such as USACE Section 404 and state-level wetland permitting, threatened and endangered species compliance (Section 7), and coordination with federal and state agencies.
• Communication: strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences including clients, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Driver's license: must possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in ecology, botany, natural resources management, environmental science, biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience with fen restoration, rare plant communities, or groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
• Experience developing or overseeing restoration designs and construction-phase implementation.
• Familiarity with NEPA and state-equivalent evaluation processes as they relate to assessing ecological resource impacts, particularly in Minnesota and the Midwest.
• Established relationships with federal, state, or local regulatory agencies.
• Experience training and mentoring junior and mid-level staff.
• Current MSHA certification.

Responsibilities

• Ecological restoration leadership: lead and manage wetland, fen, and natural community restoration projects, including site assessments, restoration planning, coordination with designers and contractors, construction-phase support, and long-term monitoring.
• Wetlands and botanical expertise: oversee and/or conduct wetland delineations, botanical surveys, and ecological field investigations, ensuring scientific rigor and regulatory defensibility.
• Regulatory strategy and permitting: interpreting and applying federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404, state wetland programs) to support restoration and development projects; coordinating with regulatory agencies and preparing high-quality permitting documentation.
• Project management: manage project scope, schedule, budget, and risk for complex restoration and permitting projects; serve as a primary client point of contact.
• Client engagement and business development: build and sustain client relationships, support proposals, and contribute to the strategic development of Barr’s ecological restoration practice by tracking industry trends and identifying new technologies or practices and opportunities for future work.
• Mentorship and collaboration: train and mentor staff, share technical knowledge, and collaborate across practices and offices.

Benefits

• Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
• Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock
• Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders
• Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities
• Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave
• Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees