Senior Ecologist

Western Eco Systems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for a full-time Senior Ecologist to join our team focused on managing large-scale energy projects.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in applied ecological studies, the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data, and impact assessment and permitting. Since its founding in 1990, the WEST team has shaped our work through our core values and key principles that our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.

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Key Details:

• Compensation: $100,000+, DOE; as well as robust bonus share, and above-industry averages on 401k matching
• Start Date: flexible
• Final date to receive applications: applications will be reviewed in the order they are received
• Location: This position can be remote for the right candidate (southwest, northwest, or Rocky Mountain regions in U.S. are preferred); however, preference will be given to those that are willing to relocate to a WEST office.

Job Summary:

This role is identified specifically for growth within WEST's Power Delivery and Environmental Planning, Permitting, and Assessment groups. The person selected for this role will be an experienced project manager that has documented success leading large-scale energy projects, including transmission, oil and gas, solar, and/or wind. The job will involve managing projects, assembling and managing large teams of permitting specialists, wildlife/wetland specialists, and other environmental specialists through pre-construction surveys, agency coordination, and permitting.

As part of a growing team, this role will also have an emphasis on mentoring deputy project managers and providing senior advisement.

Ideal candidates will have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting as project manager for utility-scale energy projects. Although the position will likely focus on transmission line projects, the person selected may also support other renewable energy or development projects as needed and based on their experience.

Responsibilities include:

The selected candidate will work with a team of environmental planners, natural resource specialists, scientists, and GIS specialists, which will include the following:

• Complete and direct various project management and support tasks related to project siting evaluation, environmental planning, or environmental reviews (e.g., federal/state/local site permitting and environmental reviews, wetland and/or water resource permitting, environmental site assessments).
• Coordinate and manage natural resource field studies (e.g., wildlife, wetlands).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (including internal staff and external sub consultants) in completing environmental review for small, medium, and large-scale energy projects.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies, tribes, and stakeholders in support of client-directed project work.
• Collaborate closely with clients to support real-time requests and help clients implement scientific consulting solutions. Take lead on navigating the regulatory landscape and providing clients with novel and innovative solutions.
• Review reports, applying expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
• Ensure team alignment on field data management and GIS data processes to meet WEST standards and client/agency requirements.
• Market WEST's capabilities, respond to proposal requests, and provide oversight into the development of scopes of work and budget estimates.
• Foster current business relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• Cultivate strategic client relationships, identify new opportunities, and support business pursuit strategies.
• Help maintain WEST's position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.
• Supervision/Mentorship:
  • Manage project teams, deliverables, and budgets for multiple projects
  • Mentor deputy project managers
• This position will require overnight travel

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

Requirements:

The successful candidate must be a self-starter who possesses:

• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and experience effectively communicating with clients and agency staff through planning regulations at the local, state, and federal level (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404/10 permitting, NEPA, NPDES permitting, ESA compliance, BGEPA permitting, zoning/land development…