Wetlands Specialist

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.