Wetlands Specialist
2 months ago
Job Title: Environmental Scientist - Wetland Specialist II
FLSA Status: Exempt, Salary
Reports To: Senior Project Manager
Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
This position can be based out of any Iowa office (Johnston, Coralville, or North Liberty), with potential for a hybrid work option.
JOB SUMMARY: The Environmental Scientist – Wetlands Specialist II is responsible for providing clients with a variety of wetland related services including delineations, restorations, permitting, design, and mitigation projects within the Natural and Cultural Resources Department of Impact7G.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:
- Conduct wetland delineations following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements.
- Perform wetland delineation, wetland monitoring, and regulatory consultation activities.
- Perform in-field work and data collection, compile, and organize field data.
- Write professional reports.
- Contribute to proposals and prepare budgets for projects within the Natural and Cultural Resources Department.
- Ensure that health and safety laws are followed.
- Review threatened or endangered species habitat requirements and regulatory status.
- Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of wetlands and other ecological communities.
- Knowledge regarding current Section 404 and Section 401 (Clean Water Act) environmental regulation and regulatory instruments, mechanisms, and the permitting process.
- Liaison between clients and regulatory agencies.
- Maintain familiarity with how various client needs are prioritized and capitalized.
- Assist in conducting the appropriate training/research for a project.
- Create a workflow planning schedule.
- Leading field work and project tasks with occasional leadership of field staff.
- Support, actively participate, and act in accordance with Wright’s and Impact 7G’s culture of safety and employee ownership.
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; maintains knowledge of and follows all company policies and procedures.
- Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- Position may require 15%-50% travel.
- Travel will vary seasonally based on specific project needs and can range from in-state to regional. Some overnight travel may be required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience completing wetland delineations and reports.
- Wetland delineation training.
- Effective and concise communication and professional writing skills.
- Highly organized and independently motivated.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Experience with soils and hydric soil indicators within the Midwest Region.
- Familiarity with common Midwest wetland plant species and ability to utilize botanical resources to key plants out to species level.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
- 5-10 years NEPA experience
- Professional Wetland Scientist Certification (PWS) or Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or other wetland related certifications.
- Proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS Pro for digitizing, analysis, and cartography. Experience with ESRI Fieldmaps and/or Survey123 applications.
- Field data collection with a handheld GPS unit.
- Natural areas and/or conservation restoration practices.
- Familiarity with Midwest landforms, habitats, and natural history.
- Operation of mid-sized mechanical equipment such as tractors, ATVs.
- Midwest threatened or endangered species, habitat requirements, and regulatory status.
- Wetland mitigation design and water budget calculations.
- Wetland maintenance, restoration techniques, and environmental lift.
- Wetland mitigation monitoring & reporting per federal & state requirements.
- Waters of the U.S. - Jurisdiction & Policy.
- Stream classification and assessment, familiarity with the Iowa Stream Mitigation Method.
PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to carry field equipment during outdoor work, including backpack, spade shovel, soil probe, handheld GPS equipment.
- Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions in outdoor environments.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged periods of standing or walking, including long distances in irregular and/or uneven terrain.