Ecological Services Team Lead - Senior Wetland Scientist

Company: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: January 27, 2025

Job Description:

Position:





Ecological Services Team Lead - Senior Wetland Scientist











Location:



Grand Rapids, MI











Job Id:



1903






# of Openings:



1











Ecological Services Team Lead - Senior Wetland Scientist



Location

Grand Rapids, MI



Job Summary

Fishbeck is seeking a Senior Wetland Scientist in our Grand Rapids or Novi office to lead a growing team that provides ecological consulting services in support of environmental and civil engineering projects. Responsibilities include project management and business development for a wide range of services, including wetland delineation, permitting, and mitigation; threatened and endangered (T&E) species evaluations; NEPA review; tree surveys; and invasive species assessment and management. This position requires occasional travel with a mix of field and office responsibilities. Most of our projects are located throughout Michigan, with additional work in Indiana and Ohio.



Primary Functions

• 
  
• Act as the primary internal point of contact within a diverse engineering and environmental firm regarding ecological services.
  
• Prepare proposals and budgets for ecological services, both as standalone projects and as part of complex, multidisciplinary projects.
  
• Supervise and manage the Ecological Services team and their workload.
  
• Conduct and supervise wetland delineations and site assessments, with respect to soil, vegetation, and hydrology characterization.
  
• Interface with state and federal regulatory agencies with respect to wetland permitting.
  
• Perform and supervise T&E species evaluations and tree surveys.
  
• Assist clients to fulfill natural resource permitting requirements for local, state, and federal agencies.
  
• Perform desktop research, conduct field visits, and prepare documentation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance documents.
  
• Prepare proposals, work plans, and technical reports.
  
• Manage budgets and project schedules.
  
• Provide quality assurance review of project deliverables.
  
• Travel to project sites around the state with occasional overnight stays.
  
  
  
  
  Minimum Physical Requirements
  
  Work is conducted both indoors and outdoors. Ability to conduct fieldwork, at times for long hours or under strenuous conditions. Moderate lifting, carrying, and hiking through uneven terrain including areas where poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy/sumac) may be present. Will also have normal office working conditions and be required to sit and use a computer. Must be able to drive a vehicle to project sites. Visual acuity and physical strength and endurance necessary to perform responsibilities.
  
  
  
  Desired Education/Licensure
  
  Bachelor of Science in botany, wetland ecology, soil science, natural resource management, or related field.
  
  Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification is preferred.
  
  
  
  Desired Skills/Experience
  
  
  • 
    
  • 10+ years' experience working as an ecological/wetland consultant.
    
  • Familiarity with state and federal wetland and T&E regulations and permitting requirements.
    
  • Strong field botany skills with experience in local plant identification.
    
  • Experience with T&E species evaluations and NEPA assessments.
    
  • Excellent technical writing skills.
    
  • Good communicator, both verbal and written.
    
  • Project management, team leadership, and mentoring experience.
    
  • Organized with the ability to balance multiple projects with sensitivity to schedule and budget.
    
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office products and other common computer programs.
    
    
    
    
    What we offer
    
    Our staff members enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes:
    
    
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    • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
      
    • Wellness reimbursement and activities.
      
    • Reimbursement and support for tuition, continuing education, and professional/personal development.
      
    • Vacation, sick, and volunteer time, PTO, parental leave, and paid holidays.
      
    • Opportunities for hybrid and flexible schedules.
      
    • 401(k), profit-sharing, and stock options (we are 100% employee-owned!).
      
    • And more!
      
      
      
      
      About Fishbeck
      
      Fishbeck is one of the premier professional consulting firms in the nation, with 15 regional offices and more than 600 employees. Engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and construction management are the cornerstones of Fishbeck's services and integrated project approach. We are a hands-on and design-orientated practice with the technical capabilities and understanding to take the largest projects from internal concept to completion. Our team of experts takes pride in our commitment to reliability in design, connection to our clients, and creativity at our core.
      
      
      
      We are an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
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Keywords: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Grand Rapids , Ecological Services Team Lead - Senior Wetland Scientist, Other , Grand Rapids, Michigan