Environmental Scientist Ecologist/Biologist (Mid-level)

Your Opportunity

Stantec’s southeastern environmental services group is seeking a mid-level Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to lead environmental field surveys, reporting, and permitting support for our clients in the renewable energy, electric transmission, pipeline, transportation, and other business sectors. The ideal candidate will have experience in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the southeast with Waters of the U.S. (WOUS) delineations and permitting, stream assessments and sampling, endangered species habitat assessments and surveys, reporting, and project task coordination.

As an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists/ecologists/water resource specialists, ecosystem restoration engineers, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specialists, environmental planners, and regulatory experts. This will involve extensive travel and several days in the field and away from home as well as some office work.

Our Environmental Services group is dedicated to managing environmental issues professionally and proactively. Our staff include specialists in wetland science, threatened and endangered species surveys, vegetation inventories, NEPA, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), cultural resources, hydrogeology, engineering, habitat and ecosystem restoration, environmental remediation, and GIS. 

We help our clients identify constraints and respond to opportunities within the changing regulatory and corporate environment through active engagement with the public, stakeholder groups, and government regulators. 

This opportunity can be located in Stantec's Chattanooga, TN, Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY or Lexington, KY offices.

 Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead teams that collect and report on tasks that include, wetland delineations, wildlife surveys and habitat characterizations, land use mapping and vegetation cover classification, and other natural resource-focused surveys. 


• Coordinate agency communications, oversee technical assessments, and guide project teams through successful execution.


• Lead or assist with permitting efforts at the local, state, and federal level including agency coordination with United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), following NEPA, Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Clean Water Act (CWA) compliance as well as applicable state regulations.


• Assist with and prepare portions of written reports, tables, spreadsheets, databases, and maps for client and regulatory agency review.


• GPS data collection, processing, and mapping support.


• ArcGIS online mapping and data collection applications.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Strong field identification and classification skills of U.S. Southeast regional plant species and/or experience in bat mist net surveys is preferred.
• Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional (QHP) or QHP-IT certification preferred.
• Demonstrated level of understanding of technical environmental impact analysis methods related to state and federal environmental regulations.
• The ability to solve problems using critical thinking and to complete tasks with consideration to their own and the team's safety is important.
• A positive attitude in all working conditions is key.
• Experienced at working well in a team atmosphere and independently as required.
• Working understanding of policies and procedures for HSSE, including client-specific training (as required).
• Must have the willingness to learn new skills while conducting field work.
• Builds and maintains productive professional and personal networking relationships within their technical team and Business Center.
• Good driving record and valid driver’s license required.
• Willingness to travel and conduct field work in potentially remote areas for extended periods (up to 75% of the time) including overnight travel is expected for this position.  Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
• Must be comfortable with computers and hand-held GPS units or other similar GPS based survey equipment. Technical writing skills are necessary for this position.
• Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Where lawful, may require post-employment drug testing based on client needs and requirements. 

Education and Experience

• The ideal candidate will have at minimum, a bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline (biology, ecology, natural resources, soil science, or related natural resources field) with demonstrated experience with biological surveys in the region.  
• Experience of 5-10 years is desired, with experience leading field teams in natural resource inventories and surveys.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.