Natural Systems Design Coastal Geologic Services (NSD CGS) is a Washington-based environmental consulting firm with the mission to make a BIG positive impact on the environment. Founded in 2003, we are an interdisciplinary team of over 50 people with office locations in Seattle, Bellingham, and Port Angeles, Washington. NSD CGS was founded and grown with the intention to be a different kind of consulting company – one that values and prioritizes its people and focuses its collective energy on making a difference. 

Why work with us?

• At NSD CGS we are a group that is deeply committed to restoration and protection of natural processes, and finding solutions that benefit both the ecosystem and the community; we take pride in our work to make the world a better place and we advocate with our clients for the actions needed to make that happen. 
• We have a constant stream of challenging and interesting projects with great clients. We work exclusively on aquatic and floodplain habitat restoration, watershed analysis, and restoration planning and design (including integration of climate change risk and resiliency), and we have developed a regional reputation for innovative and excellent work.
• We work on highly interdisciplinary teams and aim to consider ecological, geomorphic, hydrological, and engineering perspectives on every technical challenge; this leads to constant learning and lively discussions. 
• We trust each other as professionals and respect each other as people. This means staff have the autonomy to manage when they come into the office and when they work from home. And we offer flexibility with exempt hourly positions. Hourly means when needed you could work less than a 40-hour week and conversely additional hours worked beyond 40 hours are compensated at a 1.5x hourly rate. 

Position Summary: We are seeking one full-time scientist, at either the staff or project level depending on the right candidate. Our staff level scientists typically have 1 – 5 years of experience and our project level scientists typically have 5 – 10 years. This position will support both our science and engineering groups through interdisciplinary project roles related to site assessment, analysis, technical design, and documentation. The successful candidate will have knowledge of ecological processes, scientific analysis, restoration design, and construction documentation for rivers, floodplains, and/or wetlands.

Position Location: (Seattle, Bellingham, or Port Angeles, Washington; and/or Partially Remote)

NSD CGS is currently using a hybrid model of in-office and remote work from home. For this position, our preferred candidate is located near one of our three office locations to enable regular in-person, collaborative work.

Responsibilities

• Technically support and/or perform a lead role in the integration of Pacific Northwest vegetation communities and their unique supporting conditions including hydrology, soils, and climate into restoration analyses and design.
• Technically support and/or perform a lead role in site condition assessment, alternative analysis, and feasibility studies.
• Produce technical narratives describing methodology and results of analyses.
• Support wetland delineation efforts through field data collection, completion of data forms, report writing, and figure development.
• Support the development of federal, state, and local permit applications, including supporting narratives, graphics, and maintenance and monitoring plans.
• Prepare engineering plan sheets using AutoCAD Civil 3D illustrating site restoration actions, cross-sections, and specific construction details related to site stabilization and revegetation.
• Calculate material, construction, earthwork, and impact quantities to assist with permitting, cost estimating, and developing bid schedules.
• Develop construction cost estimates and project special provisions using Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) standards, or other applicable standards.
• Support construction oversight specific to earthwork, site stabilization, and revegetation.
• Produce illustrative figures and maps of technical analyses using Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, and others.
• Actively communicate with and contribute to the project team. Deliver design deliverables on time and within budget. Maintain coordination with project manager and track project schedule.
• Proactively and clearly communicate status and results to colleagues, collaborators, and clients through discussions, presentations, data visualizations, and technical writing.
• Seek out the best available science to support innovative, cost-effective approaches to support scientific and engineering designs that meet project goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in landscape architecture, environmental science, ecology, biology, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of professional experience working in applicable related field.
• Competence with technical writing and technical communication.
• Understanding of vegetation ecology and the interdependencies of physical and biological processes.
• Experience with construction cost estimating, development of special provisions, and construction oversight.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D, including the development of site-specific construction plans, details, and plant schedules.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint, and related programs (e.g., ArcGIS) for the development of illustrative design graphics.
• Ability to complete site investigations and field measurements in riverine and coastal environments.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred candidates will have closer to 5 years of experience which includes experience preparing and managing Federal, state, and local regulatory authorizations, and leading ecological design, planning, and construction documentation.
• Professional Landscape Architecture licensure in the State of Washington or ability to obtain licensure in 1-3 years.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification by the Society of Wetland Scientists, Wetland Professional In Training status, or ability to obtain PWS certification in 1-3 years, including recent relevant field experience delineating wetlands and determining the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) per state and federal guidelines, and preparing associated data forms, reports, and wetland rating forms.
• Foundational understanding of environmental regulatory protections applicable to restoration projects in Washington state.
• Proficiency with field identification of Pacific Northwest-region native and common invasive vegetation species and ecological communities.
• Foundational understanding of the influence of vegetation and wood on streams and aquatic habitats.
• Demonstrated experience with public outreach, facilitation, and management of stakeholder input.
• Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to a range of perspectives on relationships and interconnections with the natural world, such as traditional indigenous knowledge.

Compensation: NSD CGS offers competitive salary and benefits, including up to a 4% match on 401(K), 8 paid holidays, and 4 weeks of paid time off accrued annually. For staff level candidates with 1 – 5 years' experience the salary range begins at $65,000 to $74,000 based on experience. For project level candidates with 5 - 10 years' experience the salary range begins at $75,000 - $95,000 based on experience.

Start Date: As soon as possible dependent on the right candidate.

Hours: This position is a full-time exempt hourly position. Hours are generally flexible working within the timeframe of 7 am–7 pm, M-F, with occasional weekend and/or evening work. Additional hours worked beyond 40 hours a week will be compensated at a 1.5x hourly rate.

Closing Date: Applications will be accepted through May 29th, 2024.

NSD is an equal opportunity employer and candidates who identify with groups that are frequently underrepresented in the science, engineering, technology, and math fields are highly encouraged to apply. All candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or protected veteran or disabled status or any other category protected under law. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.