What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ecologist III - Field position at Metro Consulting Associates LLC?
Description
Position Description:
The Ecologist III is a senior-level, field-focused technical specialist responsible for conducting advanced ecological field investigations and supporting regulatory compliance efforts for complex environmental projects. This position spends the majority of time performing hands-on field work, including wetland delineations, ecological surveys, monitoring, and compliance inspections, with supporting office-based responsibilities related to data analysis, reporting, permitting, and coordination.
The Ecologist III serves as a field resource to project teams, clients, and regulatory agencies and plays a key role on evaluating compliance on projects involving multiple layers of regulatory review and approval.
Duties & Responsibilities
Field Responsibilities (Approximately 75–80%):
Qualifications:
Position Description:
The Ecologist III is a senior-level, field-focused technical specialist responsible for conducting advanced ecological field investigations and supporting regulatory compliance efforts for complex environmental projects. This position spends the majority of time performing hands-on field work, including wetland delineations, ecological surveys, monitoring, and compliance inspections, with supporting office-based responsibilities related to data analysis, reporting, permitting, and coordination.
The Ecologist III serves as a field resource to project teams, clients, and regulatory agencies and plays a key role on evaluating compliance on projects involving multiple layers of regulatory review and approval.
Duties & Responsibilities
Field Responsibilities (Approximately 75–80%):
- Conduct wetland delineations using State and Federal delineation methodologies.
- Perform wetland inventories, functional assessments, and mitigation site monitoring.
- Conduct ecological surveys, vegetation surveys, stream assessments, and habitat evaluations.
- Participate in threatened and endangered species surveys and related compliance activities.
- Perform construction and environmental compliance monitoring, including field inspections and documentation.
- Collect, record, and maintain accurate field notes, GPS data, maps, photographs, and logs.
- Evaluate natural resources and identify potential environmental constraints or compliance issues in the field.
- Travel regularly to project sites and work outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions.
- Support and mentor junior field staff during field investigations and monitoring activities.
- Prepare and/or review technical reports, including wetland delineations, stream assessments, ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and monitoring reports.
- Assist with preparation of wetland mitigation and restoration plans.
- Prepare Biological Assessments and develop avoidance, minimization, or mitigation strategies for sensitive species and regulated habitats.
- Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulatory agencies regarding technical findings and permitting requirements.
- Provide technical input to support permitting and regulatory compliance under USACE and applicable state regulations.
- Prepare or oversee preparation of data tables, figures, maps, and documentation related to ecological work.
- Support project profitability through coordination with Project Managers and efficient task execution.
- Provide input to improve ecological quality control processes and identify training or resource needs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Primarily field-based position, with office work dependent on project needs
- Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, and varied weather conditions
- Ability to travel overnight and work in the field up to 75–80% of the time
- Regularly required to walk long distances over uneven or vegetated terrain
- Frequently lifts or moves objects up to 50 pounds
- Vision requirements include close, distance, color vision, and ability to adjust focus
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, or related field and/or equivalent experience
- Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Wetland Botanist, or seasoned wetland delineator preferred
- Minimum 10–15 years of applicable experience
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and the corporate office
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical teams
- Familiarity with USACE wetland delineation methods and Clean Water Act permitting
- Experience with GPS units and related software (ESRI, Pathfinder Office, etc.)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel