Job Details

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada.  We are seeking a full-time regular Senior Biologist - Environmental Planner.

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

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

Key Details:

• Salary: The minimum base salary for this position is $100,000, plus an annual bonus. Salary may vary based on education, knowledge, and experience.

Job Summary:
This role will be responsible for leading large-scale transmission line projects. The primary area of focus will be natural resource surveys to support routing, constraints identification, state/federal environmental reviews, or other permitting. The role will be responsible for developing and leading diverse project teams, and working with multi-stakeholder teams. Assisting WEST with business and program development will be an additional focus and integral to the role.

Ideal candidates will have experience and expertise in environmental planning/permitting, consulting, leading large-scale projects, and developing and managing large agile teams of biologists, wetland specialists, and other environmental specialists. In addition, the ability to develop wildlife or other natural resource study design and be responsible for managing environmental projects throughout the region, including leading and organizing transmission/pipeline, pre- or post-construction field surveys for renewable energy, or other types of development projects may be required. 

Responsibilities include:

• Complete and direct various project management and support tasks related to 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, etc.),
• Lead natural resource study plan development and implementation of field studies (e.g., wildlife, wetlands, etc.).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (including internal staff and external sub consultants) in completing environmental review for small and large-scale transmission projects.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies, tribes, and the public in support of client-directed project work.
• Design and implement scientific consulting solutions for clients.
• Write reports, applying scientific expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
• Communicate with clients regarding their needs.
• Perform quality checks to ensure WEST standards and client requirements are met.
• Conduct day to day administration of projects.
• Market WEST’s capabilities and prepare scopes of work, budget estimates and respond to proposal requests.
• Foster current business relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• Help maintain WEST’s position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.

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

Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, biological sciences, natural resources, ecology or equivalent.
• Ten plus (10+, Senior Biologist) years of experience in environmental consulting or project management. Experience in budgeting and proposal writing.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage natural resource field studies personnel with varying range of experience and expertise. 
• Excellent, competent writing skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail and accurately report the scientific methods and results of field studies.
• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and planning regulations at the local, state, and federal level (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404/10 permitting, NPDES permitting, zoning/land development permitting, etc.). This regulatory understanding would also come a preferred background in natural resource science (including wildlife biology, wetland delineation, plant identification, restoration science, or other areas of ecology potentially of interest to commercial clients)
• Demonstrated experience in business development and consulting work, professional scientific experience, and a track record of maintaining positive relationships with coworkers, clients, or stakeholders.
• Understanding of the energy development process and market (transmission line/gas line project experience preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Good time management, project management and organizational skills with the ability to work well under time constraints, changing circumstances, and meet deliverable targets and deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive criticism.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company.  A valid driver’s license will be required.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.