Entry-Level Environmental Consultant

Ross Strategic is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team of consultants. We work on some of today’s toughest environmental challenges around watershed and landscape-level planning and protection. We do this by bringing together people from various backgrounds and fields of expertise to define clear questions, understand relevant data and information, and find common ground to develop durable solutions. Our clients include public agencies, private businesses, philanthropic foundations, and not-for-profit organizations. For more information on the firm’s projects and clients, please visit our website at www.rossstrategic.com.

We anticipate hiring one entry-level consultant to support several projects. This role will primarily support projects located in Washington State: we are looking for candidates who are Washington residents or who are willing to relocate.  

Work will involve engaging with collaborative groups representing different parts of government (Tribal, federal, state, local) and different stakeholders to design and facilitate processes and meetings around content and decisions related to ecosystem protection and restoration. Current projects are largely in the following areas, and candidates with interest or experience in one or more of these areas are encouraged to apply and to describe their relevant education and experience.

• Policies and strategies for integrating climate and natural resource concerns with land use, stormwater, and transportation planning.
• Watershed protection and restoration, particularly measuring and evaluating progress and collaborative strategic and scientific planning related to watershed restoration in Puget Sound.
• Work with Puget Sound recovery systems and groups such as state agencies, Lead Entities, Local Integrating Organizations, and Puget Sound Tribal Governments.
• Collaborative development of programs, policies, and strategies for restoring aquatic life, reducing damage from floods, and maintaining agricultural viability in the context of changing climate conditions.
• Compilation, maintenance, and analysis of large data sets from many different sources as well as creation of map products that help clients visualize landscape conditions, identify priorities, and communicate planning scenarios to diverse audiences.
• Program evaluation and strategic planning for public agencies, multilateral institutions, nonprofits, and philanthropies.

Because Ross Strategic is committed to growth from within, we seek candidates with an interest in developing a career in consulting. In-house training, ongoing mentoring, and coaching support will be provided. 

• Support new and ongoing projects as part of a consultant team; many projects will involve working directly with high-ranking officials in state, local, and federal agencies, local jurisdictions, Tribes, foundations, and other client organizations.
• Communicate regularly and establish rapport with clients and process participants.
• Coordinate project logistics, including scheduling and arrangements for conferences, meetings, and webinars.
• Support meeting design and facilitation, including taking notes and drafting and preparing meeting summaries, agendas, and background materials.
•  Assist in the preparation of clearly written, accurate documents, presentations, and reports on project-specific issues such as findings and recommendations from collaborative processes, or draft strategic plans or other documents.
• Conduct project-specific research and analysis on policies, programs, activities, and innovations. Research may include on-line data collection, case studies, literature reviews, surveys, and/or interviews.
• Provide project management support through preparation of progress reports for clients, organizing project files, and time and budget tracking.
• While much of our support is provided remotely, some travel within Washington may be required.

Our work is collaborative and dynamic. Workplans and deliverables evolve as projects develop, and consultants need to adapt alongside them. People who thrive in this role are curious and resourceful. They enjoy learning new things, ask good questions, and take initiative to figure out what's needed. They are also detail-oriented, clear communicators, and able to track multiple projects and deadlines independently even as workplans change.

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field
• 1 years of relevant work experience
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under tight timelines with multiple and overlapping tasks and to work in situations requiring self-direction and initiative
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and planning skills
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong and sustained attention to detail
• Proficiency with office software such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint
• Ability to manage virtual convenings including support participants using typical tools such as Zoom or MS Teams
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies to support projects
• Based in Washington State or willing to relocate to Washington before starting work. (Ross is not able to provide any relocation costs).

• Experience building and managing map layers in ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and/or QGIS, including working with multiple data formats and coordinate systems
• Ability to compile and synthesize high-level takeaways from complex data/information
• Familiarity with data analysis or scripting tools such as R, Python, or SQL, or experience navigating and integrating data from public environmental databases and agency data portals
• Fluency in a second language
• Experience conducting interviews in multicultural contexts or supporting multicultural working groups
• Knowledge of salmon recovery work and governance, Puget Sound watershed recovery work and governance, and experience collaborating with state agencies, Lead Entities, Local Integrating Organizations, Tribal governments, and other partners to support watershed protection, restoration, and adaptive management.

Salary range is $65,000 - $75,000/year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Combined paid time off (PTO) program, which starts at 240 hours (30 days) per year for paid sick & safe leave, holidays, and personal   leave time
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage with premiums fully funded for employees and funded at 50% for  their dependents (spouses, domestic partners, and children)
• Disability and basic life insurance
• Go-Navia Transit monthly stipend
• Financial and time support for professional development through access to online training courses, full staff training opportunities, and individual training of interest to our staff
• Office celebrations and social events
• Opportunities for monetary bonuses and other staff recognition

To apply, please visit www.rossstrategic.com/careers

Applications are due on August 9. Applicants can expect to receive notification for first round of interviews by August 17^th.

Have questions about this position and want to learn more about Ross Strategic? Register for the information session on July 30^th at 12pm PST- https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_r4aqpkvGR0iOVSKpAX6pyw

Must be eligible to work in the United States. We are not currently able to provide visa sponsorship.