Ecologist III - Field

Description

Position Description:

The Ecologist III is a senior-level, field-focused technical specialist responsible for conducting advanced ecological field investigations and supporting regulatory compliance efforts for complex environmental projects. This position spends the majority of time performing hands-on field work, including wetland delineations, ecological surveys, monitoring, and compliance inspections, with supporting office-based responsibilities related to data analysis, reporting, permitting, and coordination.

The Ecologist III serves as a field resource to project teams, clients, and regulatory agencies and plays a key role on evaluating compliance on projects involving multiple layers of regulatory review and approval.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Field Responsibilities (Approximately 75–80%):

• Conduct  wetland delineations using State and Federal delineation methodologies.
• Perform wetland inventories, functional assessments, and mitigation site monitoring.
• Conduct ecological surveys, vegetation surveys, stream assessments, and habitat evaluations.
• Participate in threatened and endangered species surveys and related compliance activities.
• Perform  construction and environmental compliance monitoring, including field inspections and documentation.
• Collect, record, and maintain accurate field notes, GPS data, maps, photographs, and logs.
• Evaluate natural resources and identify potential environmental constraints or compliance issues in the field.
• Travel regularly to project sites and work outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions.
• Support and mentor junior field staff during field investigations and monitoring activities.

Office / Technical Support Responsibilities (Approximately 20–25%):

• Prepare and/or review technical reports, including wetland delineations, stream assessments, ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and monitoring reports.
• Assist with preparation of wetland mitigation and restoration plans.
• Prepare Biological Assessments and develop avoidance, minimization, or mitigation strategies for sensitive species and regulated habitats.
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulatory agencies regarding technical findings and permitting requirements.
• Provide technical input to support permitting and regulatory compliance under USACE and applicable state regulations.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of data tables, figures, maps, and documentation related to ecological work.
• Support project profitability through coordination with Project Managers and efficient task execution.
• Provide input to improve ecological quality control processes and identify training or resource needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Primarily field-based position, with office work dependent on project needs
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, and varied weather conditions
• Ability to travel overnight and work in the field up to 75–80% of the time
• Regularly required to walk long distances over uneven or vegetated terrain
• Frequently lifts or moves objects up to 50 pounds
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color vision, and ability to adjust focus

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, or related field and/or equivalent experience
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Wetland Botanist, or seasoned wetland delineator preferred
• Minimum 10–15 years of applicable experience
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and the corporate office
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical teams
• Familiarity with USACE wetland delineation methods and Clean Water Act permitting
• Experience with GPS units and related software (ESRI, Pathfinder Office, etc.)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel