Natural Resources Scientist - WI or IL

Role: Natural Resources Scientist

Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin or Chicago, IL or Glendale Heights, IL

Onsite/Hybrid

Full-Time

Salary Range: $85,000 - $108,000

Mid-Senior Level | Level Determined by Experience

Make a lasting impact on wetlands, natural resources, and environmental compliance across the Upper Midwest, while growing your career with a respected environmental consulting firm. This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse, meaningful projects throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, with a strong balance of fieldwork, project leadership, and client collaboration. 

General Responsibilities: 

• Prepare permit applications, risk assessments, and technical documentation – including proposals, reports, and regulatory agency correspondence.
• Design environmental protection plans and support sustainable site development initiatives.

Projects May Include:

• Ecological and natural resource field surveys.
• Wetland and waters of the U.S. delineations, impact assessments, and permitting.
• Wetland mitigation.
• Stormwater management.
• Site planning and regulatory permitting.
• Habitat assessments and agency coordination.

• Plan, lead, and execute environmental and wetland projects of moderate to high complexity, from fieldwork through reporting.
• Perform and oversee wetland delineations, ecological field surveys, sampling, and scientific analyses.
• Ensure projects meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Serve as a technical resource and team lead, mentoring junior scientists and coordinating field staff.
• Develop and review technical reports, permit applications, and client proposals.
• Analyze and interpret complex field and laboratory data to support defensible conclusions.
• Collaborate directly with clients, regulators, and internal teams on project planning and delivery.
• Uphold safety, quality, and professional standards on all projects
• Progress toward Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer certification with structured mentoring.

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Engineering, Geology, Archaeology, or related discipline. Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 11 years’ related experience.
• Demonstrated senior-level experience in waters of the U.S./permitting, listed species, or NEPA.
• Section 401/404 permitting and/or listed species experience needed.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history.
• Certification in the field of expertise required.
• Wisconsin DNR Assured wetland delineator credentials preferred.
• Illinois Lake County and DuPage County Wetland certification preferred.
• Knowledge of WDNR, IL state and local and USACE jurisdictional wetland regulations.
• Familiarity using Trimble and ESRI products.

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