Senior Biologist

Our Business

We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change.  As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

This Opportunity

WSP is recruiting for a Senior Biologist/Scientist Project Manager to join our St. Louis, Missouri Natural Resources & NEPA Team. We envision a mix of remote, hybrid, and in-office working opportunities with this position. Remote workers must be willing to come into the office, potentially with travel, for occasional in-person meetings. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of consulting experience and at least 5 years managing natural resources, environmental permitting compliance, and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects. This position will appeal to individuals with a solid background in natural resources, permitting, and/or NEPA, with good technical writing skills, strong work ethic, and genuine interest in career growth within a diverse team of professionals including wetland scientists, botanists, fisheries and wildlife biologists, NEPA specialists, and environmental permitting specialists. The successful candidate will manage projects in the power, infrastructure, and water resources sectors. Experience in direct communication with clients and coordinating with state, federal, and municipal governments is a plus. Work will be performed to support and maintain project/client compliance with environmental regulations such as Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting, the Endangered Species Act, and the NEPA.

Wood E&IS invites qualified applicants with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or higher in the field of biology, ecology, botany, wetland science, or an equivalent discipline with 10-15 years direct work experience to apply for the position. A Master of Science (MS) degree and certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) is preferred. Previous project management training and experience is required. Additional project management training may be required as needed to comply with Wood E&IS project manager requirements.  

Your Impact

• Manage natural resources and planning projects, including environmental permit applications and associated documentation and reports for compliance with regulations such as Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and NEPA.
• Preparation of wetland delineation reports, permit applications, mitigation plans, impact assessments, and pertinent sections of NEPA documents (EA/EIS). 
• Key client interface and agency coordination/consultation. 
• Network with new and existing clients to effectively position for and develop work opportunities.
• Prepare contract proposals and cost estimates.
• Manage project contracts, staff, budgets, and schedules.
• Motivate, train, and mentor personnel assigned to his/her tasks or projects.
• Work effectively with team members as well as independently.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of a BS degree in the field of biology, botany, wetland science, or an equivalent discipline, MS degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 10 years of applicable experience performing environmental permitting, wetland delineations and/or natural resources surveys with minimum 5 years managing projects.
• Project management experience that includes management of scope, schedule, and budget as well as staff and discipline team leaders to effectively and efficiently execute permitting application and compliance needs to meet client expectations and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate would have experience managing across disciplines such as for cultural resources, water resources, air quality, and socioeconomics, as well. 
• Understanding of and experience with development of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans and inspections would be beneficial.
• Good taxonomic knowledge of Midwest native flora, especially wetland flora is desired. 
• Applicant will have strong oral and interpersonal communication skills and excellent writing skills (must be prepared to provide a recent example of a professional document, such as Wetland Report, EA, etc., showing the portion(s) of the document written or co-authored by the applicant).
• Demonstrated ability to work among and manage project teams as well as maintain associated scope, schedule, and budget.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to develop business, including cross-selling other disciplines, from new and existing clients.
• Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) preferred, but not required.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary NEPA sections and/or documents (EA/EIS) is desired.
• Experience with natural resource permitting for power-related projects, coordinating and working with local state (MoDNR, IDNR) and federal agencies (USACE, USFWS, USFS), experience with renewable energy projects, experience with preparation of Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing Environmental Report preparation, and experience working with linear corridors; and various state department of transportation (DOTs) is also desired.
   

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