Senior Scientists serve as lead project scientists, they are responsible for project design, logistical planning, and project implementation and work closely with clients, field crews, regulatory agencies, and the public.
The Environmental Resource Program Senior Scientist is a senior-level position to support environmental permitting and compliance projects for both private and public sector clients. Senior Scientists must communicate effectively with a team of professionals across the environmental and engineering sectors during the planning and construction of both terrestrial and aquatic/marine projects. Position requirements include a M.S. or B.S. degree in the biological sciences with six or more years of professional experience.
Senior Scientists (Senior Scientist I) are expected to work closely with clients and engineering consultants to accurately define the project area and scope of work for each permitting project. Senior staff coordinate with client field crews and regulatory agencies on a regular basis and conduct professional meetings with regulatory staff on behalf of the client. Senior staff are expected to have excellent data management skills, be self-motivated and conscientious with a strong work ethic, and meet deliverable deadlines within the expected timeframes. Senior Scientists are responsible for processing complex state and federal wetland permit applications and managing permitting deliverables with minimal oversight. Other tasks are assigned as needed to support new projects and individual professional development goals. Depending on the individual's experience and expertise, tasking may include wetland delineations, water quality project design and analysis, seagrass restoration, GIS tasking, and/or threatened and endangered species surveys and permitting.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Directs and assists in the training and scheduling of the activities of field personnel to ensure compliance and overall objectives.
- Provide coaching and track yearly goals for Field Technicians and Environmental Monitors.
- Prepare and deliver annual performance dialogues for Field Technicians and Environmental Monitors.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Prepares scopes of work, cost proposals, reports, and all related project documents.
- Supports the business development team by assisting with RFPs and proposals.
- Prepares, performs QA/QC reviews and provides comments on project data, scientific reports, technical documents, and statistical analyses.
- Tracks deadlines/deliverables and ensures consistency with scopes of work.
- Prepares and assists with invoicing and supporting documents/receipts.
- Attends agency/client meetings.
- Leads meetings and prepares agendas/minutes.
- Reviews scientific literature, participates in continuing education activities, and/or attends conferences and seminars.
- Other tasks are assigned as needed to support new projects and individual professional development.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to meet deliverable deadlines within the expected timeframes.
- Excellent communication, data management, technical writing, and creative problem-solving skills.
- Microsoft Office and Smartsheet experience is preferred.
- Work remotely on occasion.
- Travel occasionally for short periods of time (i.e. 2 weeks).
- Must possess a clean driving record.
Education and Experience:
- Experience supervising biologists and field staff.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree required.
- Five years of related experience required.
