Senior Environmental Scientist

SUMMARY

The Senior Environmental Scientist will support utility projects by conducting environmental assessments, including stream/wetlands delineation, plant and animal inventories, habitat assessments, environmental protection and mitigation planning, and environmental permitting. Incumbents are expected to have advanced knowledge of ecological systems, environmental regulatory conditions, have the ability to work independently, and mentor junior staff. In addition, the position will provide advanced support to the siting of electric transmission line and substation projects through the analysis of environmental, land use, cultural resource, and visual issues using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the most viable siting opportunities.

• Conduct field environmental assessments by traversing cleared and uncleared linear utility corridors and site‑specific parcels to delineate, GPS, and map streams, wetlands, habitat, and identify plants and animal species.
• Prepare environmental and technical reports to document the findings of the natural resource assessments and support environmental protection, mitigation planning, and permitting.
• Provide regulatory and permitting application support, including but not limited to those associated with NEPA, SEPA, Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other state and local environmental review authorities. Coordinate with applicable review agencies.
• Support line and substation siting by applying environmental principles.
• Prepare, estimate, and budget for specific environmental activities and monitor project costs.
• Develop and guide junior staff scientists.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Non‑routine; general policies applied to frequently changing situations.

Influences decisions of major nature. High degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain goodwill.

Mentoring of junior staff scientists expected.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required.

Required:

A Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or University in Natural Sciences (e.g., biology, environmental sciences, ecology, forestry, soil science) or equivalent experience.

7‑9 Year(s) Experience in Natural Resources and Ecological Consulting.

Required certifications, licenses, and/or registrations may include but not necessarily limited to:

• Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Certification in FL

Preferred certifications, licenses, and/or registrations may include but not necessarily limited to:

• Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS)
• Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB)
• ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Training
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

On‑the‑job training for administrative responsibilities and executing the transmission line and substation siting process will be provided. Incumbents will be expected to perform at a high level completing natural resources assessments, permitting, and other environmental review responsibilities with limited training and oversight.

A. Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, operational procedures, etc.
B. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
C. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

A. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
B. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.
C. Ability to…