Ecologist - Wetland Delineations / Impact Assessment

Company Description

At AECOM, we're creating a better world.

We believe infrastructure provides opportunities for everyone. Whether it's enhancing your commute, providing reliable electricity, ensuring access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work contributes to the growth and prosperity of people and communities.

Our clients trust us to bring together the best personnel, ideas, technical skills, and digital solutions for our work in transportation, construction, water, environment, and renewable energy. We are one global team - a 47,000 strong, unified force - dedicated to creating a better world.

Here, you will find the freedom to excel in an environment of opportunity.

We will provide you with the flexibility you need to do your best work by offering hybrid working options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, a remote location, or a client site, you'll be working in a dynamic environment where integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and an innovative mindset are valued.

You will help foster a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We offer a safe and respectful workplace, encouraging everyone to bring their complete selves to work, leveraging their unique skills, backgrounds, and expertise to achieve transformative results for our clients.

You will have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and a range of career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter your position within the organization, you can make a significant impact on the projects you work on and the teams and committees you join.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits, health and wellness programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to further your career.

By joining us, you'll connect and collaborate with a global network of professionals - planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers - leading the change towards a more sustainable and equal future. Come join us and let's get started.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an Ecologist with experience independently carrying out federal and state wetland delineations and permitting in the Mid-Atlantic US (with a focus on VA and MD) and taking part in/leading T&E habitat assessments and species surveys.

This role has immense career growth potential within the leading, worldwide environmental services provider to industry and government. We’re looking for a dynamic individual capable of leading environmental impact assessments and permitting for a diverse range of projects including federal and local government, transportation, energy, utilities, and data center development.

A successful candidate will mentor junior staff, provide technical expertise to internal staff and clients, and coordinate permit approvals with regulatory officials. This position will be based in either our Glen Allen or Arlington, VA office.

This position's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting consulting projects according to scope, schedule, and budget
• Leading wetlands and waters delineation field work, report writing, and federal & state JD requests
• Preparing permit applications for and coordinating permit approvals with USACE, VDEQ, VMRC, local Wetlands Boards, MDE, MDNR, and others.
• Coordinate with the USFWS, NMFS, DWR, DCR, others for T&E species effects assessments
• Participating/leading T&E habitat assessments and species surveys
• Conducting wetland functions and values assessments, stream assessments using the Unified Stream Methodology, and perennial flow determinations
• Carrying out Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and/or Resource Protection Area delineation
• High level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a collaborative team environment
• Performing detailed work in an organized manner
• Being self-motivated, driven, and hardworking
• Mentoring junior staff into lead roles
• Working directly with internal team members including project managers, engineers, planners, and junior staff, and with contractors, regulatory officials, and clients
• Writing NEPA document sections (e.g. soil, water, wildlife, etc.) for CATEX, EA, and/or EIS documents
• Supporting additional environmental documents such as state environmental assessments, permit by rule, SCC applications, water quality impact analysis, and VDOT LAP due diligence summaries
• Ability to travel several days consecutively per month, some overnight travel required
• Proposal preparation

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• BA/BS degree with 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
• Writing samples that show you served as lead author on projects including wetland delineation reports, permit applications, and/or T&E habitat assessments/survey summaries
• Must be willing to work in the field at times in inclement weather conditions, walking on uneven terrain and carrying equipment that may weigh up to 15 lbs
• Must have a valid US Driver’s License and be able to pass AECOM’s Motor Vehicle Records review
• US Citizenship is required

Preferred Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in an environmental science related field (such as ecology, botany, forestry, soil science, and wildlife biology) is preferred
• 6 years of experience carrying out wetland delineations independently and leading field teams
• PWS certification is beneficial
• Experience with wetland delineation and permitting in Maryland and/or Virginia is desired
• Experience with VWP Permit Monitoring
• MD FCA Qualified Professional
• Experience with ArcGIS and data collection tools such as Collector and Trimble units is a plus

Additional Information

• This is a hybrid role with 70% of the work being in office/remote and 30% field work
• Relocation assistance is not available for this position
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role
• All information provided will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines

The salary range for this position in Virginia locations is $63,283 - $88,000, and will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location.

AECOM is proud to offer various benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Dependent on employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D and disability insurance, paid time off, leave of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, wellness initiatives, global well-being programs, and global EAP, Business Travel and Service Awards programs.