Senior Watershed Scientist - Stormwater / Regulatory Permitting

Position Overview

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently. Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership and Industry Expertise
  Serves as a lead scientist for fieldwork, overseeing watershed monitoring, hydrologic assessments, water quality evaluations, and/or compliance inspections.
  Covers coordination of work efforts of junior and mid-level scientists, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and adherence to scientific protocols and regulatory standards.
  Stays informed about industry trends, scientific advancements, and regulatory updates, positioning the company as a leader in watershed science.
  Develops creative, science-based solutions for complex technical or policy challenges related to water resource management.
  Provides critical analysis of complex datasets, integrating field data, hydrologic modeling, remote sensing, and geographic information Systems (GIS)-based analysis to inform decision-making.

• Regulatory Compliance and Permitting
  Leads preparation of comprehensive reports, permit applications, and compliance documentation for medium- to large-scale watershed management projects.
  Oversees environmental impact assessments, water quality monitoring programs, and regulatory compliance strategies.
  Advises on Clean Water Act (CWA), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), total maximum daily load (TMDL), and other state and federal regulations related to water resources.
  Communicates with clients, public agencies, and regulators to address compliance issues, permitting requirements, and policy considerations.

• Project Oversight and Strategic Planning
  Serves in lead roles for field investigations, ensuring projects meet technical objectives and regulatory requirements.
  Manages multiple project components, balancing budgets, schedules, and technical deliverables.
  Supports project proposals by developing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules for technical studies and watershed restoration initiatives.
  Works with engineers, planners, and ecologists to integrate watershed science into restoration design and management plans.

• Client and Public Engagement
  Communicates complex scientific findings to clients, community members, and regulatory agencies through presentations, reports, and public meetings.
  Represents the company at professional conferences, workshops, and industry events, contributing to thought leadership and business development.
  Supports business development efforts by identifying new opportunities, partnerships, and funding sources for watershed science projects.

• Mentorship and Staff Development
  Mentors junior and mid-level staff, fostering professional growth in watershed science, hydrology, and regulatory compliance.
  Conducts internal training sessions to improve data collection, analysis techniques, and regulatory knowledge among team members.
  Oversees QA/QC processes for scientific reports, field methodologies, and technical deliverables.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 12+ years’ experience in Stormwater permitting, watershed science, water quality monitoring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Ecology, Geology, Water Resources, or a related field. Master’s degree (preferred) in Watershed Science, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory permitting, hydrologic modeling, or watershed restoration planning.

• Aquatic bioassessment sampling and/or stormwater quality certification(s).

• Proficiency in GIS, statistical analysis, remote sensing, and water quality modeling tools.

• Strong track record of mentoring and developing junior staff.

• Experience in developing technical scopes of work, cost estimates, and compliance documentation.

• Established professional network within the watershed science and regulatory community.

Compensation

$110,000 - $140,000/yr Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location.

Physical Requirements

• This job may require working on a computer, sitting or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time.