Description:
The Ecologist III is a senior-level, field-focused Wetland Ecologist responsible for conducting advanced ecological field investigations and supporting regulatory compliance efforts for complex environmental projects. This position spends the majority of time performing hands-on field work, including wetland delineations, ecological surveys, monitoring, and compliance inspections, with supporting office-based responsibilities related to data analysis, reporting, permitting, and coordination.
The Ecologist III serves as a technical resource to project teams, clients, and regulatory agencies and plays a key role on highly technical projects involving multiple layers of regulatory review and approval.
Duties & Responsibilities
Primary Field Responsibilities (Approximately 75–80%)
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Team lead in charge of completing wetland/waters assessments and delineations according to the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineations Manual and applicable regional supplements.
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Perform wetland inventories, functional assessments, and wetland monitoring.
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Conduct ecological surveys, such as vegetation assessments, rare species habitat assessments, stream assessments, tree surveys, and environmental compliance.
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Participate in threatened and endangered species surveys and related best management practices (BMP) and/or compliance activities.
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Perform construction and compliance monitoring including field inspections and documentation.
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Collect, record, and maintain accurate field notes, GPS data, maps, photographs, and logs.
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Evaluate natural resources and identify potential environmental constraints or compliance issues in the field.
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Travel regularly to project sites and work outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions.
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Support and mentor junior field staff during field investigations and monitoring activities.
Secondary Office / Technical Support Responsibilities (Approximately 20–25%)
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Prepare and/or review technical reports, including wetland/waters delineations, stream assessments, ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and monitoring reports.
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Assist with preparation of wetland restoration plans.
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Prepare Biological Assessments and develop avoidance, minimization, or mitigation strategies for sensitive species and regulated habitats.
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Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulatory agencies regarding technical findings and permitting requirements.
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Provide technical input to support permitting and regulatory compliance under USACE, and different Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (EGLE) state regulations.
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Prepare or oversee preparation of data tables, figures, maps, and documentation related to ecological work.
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Support project profitability through coordination with Project Managers and efficient task execution.
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Provide input to improve ecological quality control processes and identify training or resource needs.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, or related field and/or equivalent experience
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Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or seasoned wetland delineator.
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Have received formal wetland delineation training (certificate of completion required).
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Proven leadership skills, and experience as a team leader.
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Minimum 10–15 years of applicable experience, with a minimum 3-5 years of experience conducting wetland delineations.
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Strong working knowledge of the USACE wetland 1987 delineation methodology, and the applicable regional supplements, including atypical situations.
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Experienced with native and invasive plant identification within Michigan and the Great Lakes Region.
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Knowledge of federal (Section 404 and 401 Permitting) and state (Michigan and Indiana) wetland regulations and permitting.
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Experienced with the taxonomically identification of flora and fauna common to the Midwest, specifically to Michigan.
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Familiar with federal and state threatened and endangered species regulations.
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Ability to work efficiently and effectively under tight deadlines as well as balance multiple on-going projects at one time.
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Strong planning, organization, preparation, and execution capabilities.
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Resourceful, action-oriented, with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
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Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and the corporate office
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Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
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Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical teams
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Experience with GPS units and related software (ESRI, Pathfinder Office, etc.)
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Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
