Senior Ecologist / Wetland Scientist

Ardurra is seeking a full-time Senior Ecologist to join our team in Orlando, FL.

This role focuses on environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and database management for transportation-related projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong ecological assessment skills and a solid understanding of permitting requirements for both state and federal agencies.

Primary Function:

We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Sr Ecologist to play a key role in the planning, execution, and management of wetland and natural resource projects throughout our Orlando Projects. This is an exciting opportunity to work on diverse watershed projects in a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Primary Duties:

• Review roadway plans to determine permitting requirements for minor and major transportation projects, including identification and assessment of wetlands and protected species affected, and assessment of stormwater impacts
• Prepare state and federal permit application packages that describe the site assessments, stormwater data, agency jurisdiction, the measures necessary to satisfy permit requirements, and summaries of meetings with the regulatory agencies
• Conduct wetland inventories and Environmental Assessments, including a focus on protected species
• Assist in preparing and reviewing reports in support of projects, including protected species, natural habitat, environmental impacts, biological evaluations, minor NEPA/NMSA, and related regulatory requirements and compliance guidelines
• Review documents for projects prepared by others, including pre-design environmental documents, permit application packages, exemption verifications, or need for additional wildlife surveys
• Perform QA/QC reviews to ensure completeness, accuracy, and conformity to established industry standards and local, state, or federal criteria
• Provide practical solutions to project challenges by applying accepted procedures and methodologies and collaborating with others
• Support the preparation of draft environmental scope, units, and staff hours for projects based on existing transportation permitting policies and guidelines
• Monitor project budgets and schedules to ensure profitability and timeliness of deliverables
• Mentor junior-level team members while being a positive leader for the team
• Contribute to business development efforts by supporting proposals and identifying new opportunities

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in physical or natural sciences or a related field such as Environmental Science, Biology, or Ecology
• 10 years of prior practical experience (or 7 with a relevant Master’s degree)
• Familiarity or established relationships with FDOT, regulatory agencies, and other municipal clients is strongly preferred
• In-depth knowledge of FDOT and regulatory agency criteria, standards, and plans preparation requirements
• Experience writing proposals, scopes of work, and budgets for projected work, and delivering presentations
• Ability to communicate technical and complex information clearly
• Possess attention to detail, organizational skills, and a team-oriented mindset

Why Ardurra?

While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers. We nurture a family-like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun. We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry-leading Leadership program. We have made a deliberate and focused commitment to nurture a people-centric culture where people are: valued as individuals; supported in their professional and career development with multiple, varied career paths; provided the tools and resources to be successful, engaged, and satisfied in their work; and positive benefits, time-off programs, and flexibility to help maintain a healthy balance between work and home. Ardurra is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

Ardurra does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agency Agreement, Ardurra will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a resume or candidate is submitted to any hiring manager without a previously signed agreement, Ardurra reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. These candidates will be considered property of Ardurra. We’re not currently looking to add any more agencies to our list of approved vendors, so please do not contact any of our managers or recruitment team with sales calls or details of your candidates.

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