Senior Scientist

Benefits :

• Supplemental Insurance
• FSA / DCA
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Job Summary :

The Senior Scientist I is a senior-level position to support a wide variety of services (approximately 80% office, 20% fieldwork) for both private and public sector clients, including, but not limited to, threatened and endangered species surveys and permitting, environmental assessments, environmental permitting for federal, state, and local municipalities, construction compliance monitoring, stormwater management and NPDES permitting, water quality sampling and quality assurance plans, and habitat management and restoration.

Senior Scientists must communicate effectively with a team of professionals across the environmental and engineering sectors during the planning and construction of both terrestrial and aquatic or marine projects.

The ideal candidate must possess a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and have 5 to 10 years of related experience.

Senior Scientists are expected to work closely with clients and engineering consultants to accurately define the project area and scope of work for each permitting project.

Senior Scientists coordinate with client field crews and regulatory agencies on a regular basis and conduct professional meetings with regulatory staff on behalf of the client.

This position requires strong professional writing skills and the expertise to conduct Quality Assurance (QA) reviews for deliverables that typically include environmental assessments, permitting applications, and monitoring reports.

Senior Scientists are expected to have excellent communication and data management skills, be self-motivated and conscientious with a strong work ethic, and meet deliverable deadlines within the expected timeframes.

Senior Scientists are responsible for processing complex state and federal permit applications and for managing permitting deliverables with minimal oversight.

Other tasks are assigned as needed to support new projects and individual professional development. Technical tasking may include conducting wetland delineations, developing water quality sampling plans or habitat restoration plans, managing complex compliance monitoring projects, and other support services depending on areas of specialized experience and new opportunities.

Senior Scientists work under the direction of a Project Manager and are supported by a team of Biologists and Field Technicians.

The ideal candidate has the following technical experience :

• Experience conducting field work and associated data collection, entry, verification, and management.
• Proficiency identifying Florida’s ecosystems and plants (upland, wetland, and scrub).
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Experience preparing Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) applications.
• Experience preparing SFWMD Right-of-Way Permit applications.
• Experience preparing local wetland and tree removal permit applications.
• Experience performing mitigation analyses using UMAM.
• Experience conducting wetland delineations.
• Broad practical experience using GPS equipment and GIS software (ESRI products).
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys, particularly for listed species.
• Experience performing water quality monitoring.
• Experience operating 4X4 off-road vehicles.
• Experience safely operating boats and / or heavy equipment.
• FWC Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent Certification.
• NPDES Stormwater Management Inspector Certification.
• Other Specialized Certifications.
• Management experience supporting professional biologists and field staff.

Additional Duties / Responsibilities :

• Prepares scopes of work, cost proposals, reports, and all related project documents.
• Supports the business development team by assisting with RFPs and proposals.
• Manages subcontracted services.
• Performs QA / QC reviews, and provides comment on project data, scientific reports, technical documents, and statistical analyses.
• Tracks deadlines / deliverables and ensures consistency with standard operating procedures and scopes of work.
• Tracks projects to ensure they are delivered on time within the stipulated scope and budget.
• Prepares supporting documents / receipts for invoicing.
• Serves as contact for clients and attends agency / client meetings.
• Leads internal / external meetings and prepares agendas / minutes.
• Reviews scientific literature and participates in continuing education activities, and / or attends conferences and seminars.
• Participation in mentorship program, as needed.
• Other tasks are assigned as needed to support new projects and individual professional development.

Additional S upervisory Responsibilities may include :

• Directing and assisting in training and scheduling field personnel;
• Holding regular one-on-one meetings with supervised staff and offering coaching and mentorship as needed; and
• Preparing and delivering quarterly goals and performance reviews for supervised staff.

Required Skills / Abilities :

• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and record keeping skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, data management, technical writing, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Deltek Ajera and Microsoft Office experience is preferred.
• Work remotely on occasion.
• Travel occasionally for short periods of time (i.e., less than 2 weeks).
• Must possess a clean driving record.
• Able to follow standard operating procedures for multiple pieces of equipment.

Physical Requirements :

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Able to work outdoors in extreme conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects).
• Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards).
• Perform work in, on, and around water (canals, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.).
• Must be able to stand, bend, sit, lift, and drive.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Pay Classification :

Full-time, Salaried, Exempt, Benefit Eligible

Pay range : $50,000 - $65,000 dependent upon experience

Equal Opportunity Employer

Drug Free Workplace

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.