Permitting Specialist and Environmental Scientist

Overview

Environmental Scientist/Permitting Specialist performing field studies, reports, and permits.

Key Responsibilities

• document authoring
• project management
• field studies
• permitting strategy
• qa/qc
• client coordination

Tasks

-As an Environmental Scientist and Permitting Specialist, you will serve as a contributing or primary author of environmental documents including technical memoranda, biological assessments/habitat evaluations, scientific discipline reports, habitat mitigation plans, and impact evaluations to support resource-related permit applications, including in support of Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. -You have served as the primary or contributing author on a variety of environmental documents such as Biological Assessments for Endangered Species Act consultations, wetland delineation reports, critical area reports, habitat mitigation plans, strategic plans for watershed management, fish passage barrier assessments, and permit applications such as Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Applications and Joint Permit Applications. -You may serve as a Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, or Task Lead depending on complexity of project. You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices, including managing your work to the scope, budget, and schedule. You will proactively and constructively communicate to successfully navigate project or scope challenges that may arise. You will also take the initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively, lead and advise on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts. -You will apply your technical skills and permitting knowledge to natural resources projects. You will serve as a technical specialist, participating in environmental analyses and coordinating with key team members, including senior and junior staff, subconsultants, and clients. Lead the preparation and implementation of biological field studies. This includes field studies such as wetland delineations, vegetation classification and habitat mapping, stream habitat assessment, fish passage barrier assessment, nesting bird surveys, endangered species occurrence, and water quality sampling. You will produce technical work and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported.

Requirements

• gps
• arcgis
• project management
• biology degree
• 5+ years
• driving license

What You Bring

-You thrive in a fast-paced, exciting, and challenging environment and are able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently. -You perform field survey work, safely operate, load, and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. Experience with digital field data collection tools such as GPS, ArcGIS Collector/Field Maps, Fulcrum, Survey 123 is desired, but not required. -You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required. Field work is expected to be approx. 40% with 60% in at home/office work. -You have experience developing and leading studies in one or more of the biological disciplines ESA projects require, including wetlands, botany, fisheries biology, wildlife ecology, habitat restoration ecology, and water quality sampling and analysis. Certifications and training in one or more of these disciplines are a plus. -You have experience drafting scopes of work for Senior level review on small to complex projects, including identifying necessary tasks, preparing task descriptions, and estimating the associated level of effort. -You have excellent writing and communication skills. You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported. -Driving needs: You possess a valid driver’s license. -You have project management or task management experience on environmental projects and possess the ability to synthesize information from other disciplines to develop well-written and complete project descriptions. -A Scientist and Permitting Specialist with at least 5 years of experience in the Northwest collecting, analyzing, and presenting in writing ecological data and environmental documentation to support projects and obtain regulatory permits and approvals. -You work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality work products according to scopes, schedules, and budgets. You are an effective team member and communicator who contributes constructively and cooperatively to solve project and team challenges. -You hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree in biology or a related environmental or ecological field. -You are able to work hybrid primarily in one of our NW offices in Seattle, Portland, or Bend with some days working remotely if you choose.

About Environmental Science Associates

-Evolved from a Bay Area boutique to a national firm. -Supports projects from airports and transportation to wetland restoration and community planning. -Merges science, planning, engineering, archaeology, and design for multidisciplinary impact. -Has led unusual projects like environmental impact review of Christo’s Running Fence installation. -Provides extensive regulatory compliance, restoration, and environmental analysis services. -Balances ambitious restoration—such as tidal marsh creation—with major infrastructure efforts. -Typically works on large public-sector and utility projects like dam, highway, and airport upgrades.

Sector Specialisms