Environmental Scientist - Mid Level (Hybrid)

Job Description:

Summary:

The person in this position will work with clients and project teams to support characterization of environmental resources, impact assessments, project permitting, and compliance. Specifically, this role involves completing on-site wetland, inland lake, and stream evaluations and developing permit applications for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), typically associated with Part 303 (Wetlands Protection) and Part 301 (Inland Lakes & Streams) of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 1994 PA 451, including project descriptions and alternatives analyses.

Office-based work may involve task management, performing desktop reviews (i.e., review of topography, soils, streams, land use/cover, National Wetland Inventory, protected species databases, etc.), completing assessments to determine environmental impacts, preparing permit applications and reports required for implementation of projects and mitigation of impacts, preparing restoration planning documents, and working with clients and regulatory agencies to resolve ecological and regulatory issues for projects. Fieldwork is expected to include wetland delineations, botanical inventories, functional assessments, protected species habitat reviews, and both office and on-site meetings with clients and regulatory agency officials.

Responsibilities may also include representing clients in negotiations with regulatory agencies. The work may involve occasional short-term, out-of-town assignments in the field or another Barr office.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental science/studies/policy, ecology, natural resources management, biology, botany, or a related natural resources field
• 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience conducting wetland delineations and wetland impact assessments and the ability to lead/mentor team members to complete these tasks
• Professional Wetland Scientist certification or ability to obtain it within one year
• Experience with State of Michigan and federal environmental reviews, regulatory interpretation, and permitting processes primarily involving the lakes, streams, and wetlands regulatory programs (including NREPA Part 303 and 301)
• Applied knowledge of state and federal lakes, streams, wetlands, and endangered species programs
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with project team members, agency regulators, and clients
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, client-driven environment and to manage teams/commitments across many different clients and projects
• A flexible working style and the ability to work with teams of specialists to meet client and project needs
• Willingness to occasionally modify personal schedules as required to meet deadlines and/or client needs
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship from Barr, now or in the future
• Possession of a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related area or specialized experience in the fields of ecology or natural resources
• 8+ years of relevant experience
• Experience conducting functional wetland assessments
• Experience writing proposals and managing client relationships
• Experience managing project teams (i.e., forming teams, overseeing work execution, monitoring and controlling cost and schedule, implementing quality assurance and quality control, and stakeholder communications)
• Experience providing technical direction to and mentoring of project staff
• Advanced training or certifications such as:
  
  • International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist
  • Professional landscape architect
  • Advanced botany training (e.g., MWA wetland plant identification trainings, etc.)
  • Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (SESC) - Certified Storm Water Operator and SESC Inspector
• Familiarity with CAD or GIS tools (ArcGIS, Collector, etc.) and GPS units
• Experience designing and preparing construction documents for wetland and stream mitigation and restoration
• Experience with project contracting, proposal writing, and project management
• Experience with construction observation

A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position is based out of Barr's Ann Arbor, Michigan, office.

NOTE: Applicant must be able to traverse and work in difficult terrain typical of backcountry (e.g., dense vegetation, fallen timber, poor footing soils, streams), roadway, and construction sites, walking up to 10 miles per day in extreme temperatures of up to 90+ degrees Fahrenheit. Work may also require entering and working in facilities that include limited accessibility, moving machinery, and other conditions typical of mining or other industrial facilities. Safety training will be provided.

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