Senior Environmental Scientist

Natural Resources

Asheville, NC

• ID : 21516
• Full-Time / Regular

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm of more than 2,300 professionals that provides a full range of multi-disciplined engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States.

JMT is currently ranked #61 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Position Summary : JMT is looking for a Senior Environmental Scientist responsible for leading various natural resource investigations, preparing associated environmental documentation, and environmental permit applications for a variety of market sectors.

The candidate would also be responsible for the management of projects and staff.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Lead environmental field investigations, including wetland / stream delineations; protected species habitat assessments and surveys;

and impact assessments

Compose technical reports presenting results from field investigations and develop appropriate environmental permit applications / consultations necessary for various regulatory approvals;

including, but not limited to, Section 10 / 404 / 401 Clean Water Act (CWA) permits

Coordinate with project teams on a variety of tasks, including completion of field surveys; environmental permitting with federal, state, and local agencies;

and review of necessary project reports and materials

• Interface with various state and federal agencies to submit permit applications, obtain approvals, and prepare responses in a timely manner
• Employ strong technical / scientific writing skills to prepare technical reports and permit applications
• Apply technical and creative solutions to environmental permitting
• Advise clients and team members of appropriate strategies to obtain permits and maintain compliance with regulations and permit conditions
• Manage work within budget and schedule expectations for each project
• Ensure compliance with company and site safety policies
• Assist in the preparation of scopes of work, fee proposals, and responses to RFP’s
• Participate in preparation of public involvement materials and attend public meetings
• Support preparation of NEPA documents, including writing environmental setting and impact analyses sections
• Travel may be required as necessary and required by project or client commitments
• Work with other team members both in-person and remotely
• Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1 : 1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team

Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Experience

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental or natural science, biology, planning, ecology, or a related field, plus 15 years of related professional experience.
• Knowledge of regulations and permitting requirements for wetlands, threatened and endangered species, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, stormwater and erosion & sediment control, cultural resources and architectural history, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Expertise with USACE regulatory permitting, CWA Section 10 / 404 / 401 and Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Powerpoint and familiarity with AutoCADD and / or Microstation, ArcPro GIS, and / or other GIS programs.
• Ability to clearly communicate both verbal and written technical information.

Preferred Experience

Experience in completing field investigations, habitat assessments, wildlife and plant surveys, associated permitting, and analyzing GIS data;

preparing environmental assessments and permitting documents, technical writing.

• Experience with federal, North Carolina and other states, CAMA, and local regulatory and permitting processes, including USACE and NCDEQ.
• Experience working on NCDOT projects.
• Wetland delineation and / or hydric soils training and experience preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency operating GPS equipment.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to collaborate with a team.
• Ability to manage a project and / or task within the scope, schedule, and budget.
• Ability to manage projects in a dynamic team environment and work effectively and professionally with various audiences (, regulators, public officials, clients, etc.).
• Ability to travel outside of normal working hours, including weekends.
• Professional Certifications (, Professional Wetland Scientist, Certified Wetland Delineator, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Certified Environmental Professional, Project Management Professional, etc.)

Working Conditions

Work is performed within a general office environment approximately 75% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking.

Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

Field work is required approximately 25% of the time and is conducted outdoors in heat / cold, wet / humid, and dry / arid conditions.

Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Some lifting (up to 25 lbs) may be required as needed.

Occasional overnight travel will be required as part of fieldwork.

JMT is an Equal Opportunity Employer M / F / Disability / Vet / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity, and we are proud to be building an inclusive and diverse workforce.