Environmental Scientist - Ecologist/Biologist

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields with dedication, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are devoted to fostering a community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. Here, you can apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental professionals on work that’s vital to our clients and the communities they serve.

About the role

Stantec’s southeastern environmental services group is seeking a talented and enthusiastic individual in an entry-level or early career position to perform environmental field surveys, reporting, and support permitting for our clients in the renewable energy, electric transmission, pipeline, transportation, and other business sectors. The selected candidate will assist our team of environmental professionals on environmental impact analysis, wetland, stream, and vegetation assessments/monitoring, and endangered species surveys across the southeast.

As an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists/ecologists/water resource specialists, ecosystem restoration engineers, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specialists, environmental planners, and regulatory experts. This will involve extensive travel and several days in the field and away from home as well as some office work.

This opportunity can be located in Stantec's Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY, Nashville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, or Memphis, TN offices.

Responsibilities

• Wetland and stream delineation and assessment
• Vegetation inventories/monitoring
• Wildlife surveys and habitat assessments
• Bat mist-net surveys
• Background data reviews
• State and federal environmental permit applications
• State and federal listed species record reviews
• GPS data collection, processing, and mapping support
• ArcGIS online mapping and data collection applications
• Record, enter, organize, manage, and analyze data
• Assist with and prepare portions of written reports, tables, spreadsheets, databases, and maps for client and regulatory agency review

Requirements

• An interest in ecosystems, natural resource conservation, and the outdoors is essential
• Ability to solve problems using critical thinking and to complete tasks with consideration to their own and the team's safety
• Positive attitude in all working conditions
• Strong note-taking skills and attention to detail
• Experienced at working well in a team atmosphere and independently as required
• Working understanding of policies and procedures for HSSE, including client-specific training (as required)
• Working knowledge of biological field sampling techniques is preferred
• Willingness to learn new skills while conducting field work and through completing internal and external training classes
• Conscientious, organized, and disciplined
• Builds and maintains productive professional and personal networking relationships within their technical team and Business Center
• Good driving record and valid driver’s license required
• Where lawful, may require post-employment drug testing based on client needs and requirements
• Willingness to travel and conduct field work in potentially remote areas for extended periods including overnight travel is expected for this position (up to 75% of the time)
• Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather
• Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an environmental discipline (biology, ecology, natural resources, soil science, or related natural resources field) with demonstrated experience with biological surveys in the region
• 0-4 years of experience is desired, and demonstrated field experience in natural resource inventories and surveys is preferred

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

Benefits

Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Wellness program
• Health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) plan
• Employee stock purchase program
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Short-term/long-term disability plans
• Emergency travel benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional membership fee coverage
• Paid family leave
• Ten paid holidays in each calendar year
• Vacation accrual between 10 and 20 days per year
• Paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law)

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law. The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.