Ecologist

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB is looking for an experienced ecologist to support our Atlanta office in our growing transportation-focused practice. Our dynamic team practices across a range of natural resources, conducting wetland assessments, protected species surveys and habitat evaluations, aquatic resource surveys, bat studies, and we are looking for an additional team member to contribute to our group.

Responsibilities

• Performance of ecological studies, including conducting field surveys, producing reports, and completing QA/QC
• Assistance with proposals
• All aspects of wetlands assessment work including baseline data research, field delineations, wetland and stream mapping and data collection, mitigation credit calculations, US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404/10 permitting processes
• Conduct field surveys and habitat assessments for protected species
• Participate in multi-disciplinary environmental impact assessment, permitting, and compliance related to federal and state agency requirements for a variety of project types
• Participate in recommending impact avoidance and minimization strategies to clients

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Motivated to learn, mentor, and collaborate with others
• Superior technical skills, producing consistent high-quality work products
• Emerging business development and proposal skills, technical scope writing with qualifications statements and costing are desirable
• Strong field notation skills
• Proficient with general habitat and/or southeastern plant community identification
• Strong wetland delineation skills
• Ability to work long day-time hours in the outdoor environment
• Ability to work well with a wide range of clients in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to work well independently and with a diverse, multi-disciplinary group in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• Proficient in MS Office
• Proficient using GPS-enabled Mobile Data Collection technologies
• Proficient with Arc Map and GIS applications
• Experience writing due diligence reports and biological assessments
• Aptitude for coordinating surveys and/or consultations for state and federal protected species
• Proficient with federal and state environmental regulations and impact permitting
• Proficient with field safety practices, including First-Aid and CPR

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in biology, ecology, environmental/natural science, landscape architecture, or related field
• 1-3 years of professional experience with transportation and energy client-driven process and procedures
• Must have a valid driver’s license 
• Preference given to experience preparing ecology reports for the Georgia Department of Transportation or other state transportation departments.
• Experience with wetland/surface waters permitting, ecological surveys and studies, habitat assessment, field data collection and documentation, data analysis and evaluation
• Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT), Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS). Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) or similar expert certifications

We are VHB! We’re an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment. 

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes: 

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace  

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30 offices on the East Coast. We’re growing, and we hope you’ll join us! 

VHB is a proud Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. All individuals receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination for race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

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