Senior Ecologist

Company Overview Athena Engineering and Environmental, LLC (Athena), headquartered just outside of exciting Nashville, TN, is a dynamic woman-owned small business consulting firm that delivers geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water resources, surveying, and value engineering services. We partner with clients nationwide in the government (federal, state, and local), transportation, energy, industrial, water, and commercial sectors to tackle their most critical infrastructure challenges.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead ecological assessments, regulatory permitting support, and natural resource evaluations across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure, energy, transportation, and private development projects.

This role requires strong technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to mentor junior staff while managing client relationships and project budgets.

• Provide technical oversight for wetland delineations, stream assessments, habitat evaluations, and threatened & endangered species surveys; serving as task lead as appropriate
• Prepare ecological technical reports, permitting documentation, and agency coordination materials
• Provide senior review and QA/QC of ecological deliverables
• Support NEPA documentation, including Environmental Assessments

• Coordinate with agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and applicable state environmental agencies
• Primarily support Clean Water Act permitting (Sections 401/404) with additional support for Section 10 authorizations, as applicable
• Assist clients with compliance strategy and mitigation planning

• Manage ecological task budgets and schedules
• Support proposal development and scope preparation
• Serve as a client facing technical lead
• Mentor junior ecologists and field staff

• Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant environmental consulting experience
• Demonstrated experience with wetland delineations and stream functional assessments
• Strong understanding of the Clean Water Act and related permitting processes (e.g., Sections 401/404 and Section 10, as applicable)
• Experience preparing technical reports and regulatory documentation
• Valid driver’s license and ability to conduct fieldwork in varying conditions

• Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional (QHP) certification
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or similar credential
• Professional stream restoration credential or demonstrated experience with restoration projects
• Experience with compensatory mitigation, including coordination with mitigation banks
• Familiarity with regional/state regulatory frameworks
• Existing agency relationships

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Bonus opportunities
• Profit sharing