Lead Wetland Field Ecologist - Midwest

Position Summary

Merjent, Inc. (Merjent) is seeking highly motivated and experienced Wetland Field Ecologists to lead, manage, train, and mentor multiple crews in conducting wetland and other ecological surveys in support of utility, transportation, and development projects primarily in the Midwest, with the potential to work throughout the U.S. Primary duties include wetland and stream delineations with additional opportunities to perform threatened and endangered species surveys, functional assessments, habitat assessments, vegetation surveys, and wildlife surveys, in addition to completing associated survey reporting work.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wetland delineations according to the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineations Manual and applicable regional supplements.
• Collect, record, manage, and analyze geospatial data using Trimble and ESRI products.
• Prepare technical reports and memos, and other documents for project planning and permitting purposes.
• Cookordinate with project teams and permitting leads to determine and verify field expectations and data collection requirements.
• Perform habitat assessments, functional assessments, vegetation surveys, wildlife surveys, and species-specific surveys (if qualified).
• Apply situational awareness to mitigate in-field risks and ensure compliance with industry standards and client-specific safety requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Biology, Ecology, Soil Science, Hydrology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related degree.
• Minimum 3 years of experience conducting wetland delineations with at least 1 year experience leading wetland delineation teams.
• Knowledge of federal and state wetland regulations.
• Experience with USACE Atypical and Problem Wetland Areas methodology is preferred.
• Familiarity using Trimble and ESRI products.
• Midwest field work experience.
• Excellent oral and written technical communication and organizational skills, and ability to strategize on multiple concurrent projects of varying size and complexity.
• Competency in general MS Office applications (Word, Excel) required.
• Ability to conduct field work for 10+ hours per day, sometimes in adverse conditions carrying equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work weekends, multiple week shifts away from home and regularly work more than 40 hours per week.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record and able to pass a pre-employment drug screen.