Sr. Consultant/Senior Habitat Ecologist/Restoration Planner

About the role

Join us in our mission to restore and protect our natural habitats for future generations. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Habitat Restoration Planner to join our dynamic and growing ecological team in Wisconsin, preferably out of our Green Bay, Appleton, Milwaukee or Madison offices.

Responsibilities

• Grow our ecology practice by developing new and existing clients and markets while cross-selling GEI’s core business areas including geotechnical, environmental assessment and remediation, water resources, waterfront, environmental engineering, and civil engineering consulting.
• Develop and implement strategies and action plans that align with both organizational goals and regional conservation priorities.
• Prepare detailed project proposals, budgets, and timelines.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, staff and other resources.
• Oversee and manage habitat restoration projects with varying levels of complexity and size from inception to completion that meet environmental and regulatory standards.
• Provide technical guidance and support in the design, implementation, and monitoring of habitat restoration projects, including site assessments and ecological evaluations.
• Work with technical staff and project managers to develop natural heritage inventories and impact assessments.
• Develop survey plans for use by field crews, adhering to best practices and safety protocols, for site assessments and ecological surveys, as needed, to inform project design.
• Collaborate with governmental agencies, non-profits, local communities, and other stakeholders to foster partnerships and secure project support.
• Prepare reports, publications, and presentations to communicate project findings and contribute to the scientific community.
• Provide QAQC for summary memos, technical reports, figures, and recommendations to clients.
• Help develop business by leveraging relationships and knowledge of clients, programs, and regulations.
• Stay up to date with the latest research and developments in habitat restoration and ecological science.
• Work with contractors and subcontractors to complete work to project specifications and agency standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in habitat restoration, environmental planning, or a related field.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex environmental projects, including budget and timeline management.
• Strong knowledge of ecological principles and restoration techniques pertinent to the Great Lakes region.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering a collaborative working environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and develop creative and practical solutions to restoration challenges.
• Willingness to travel and work in various field conditions as required by project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications related to environmental planning or habitat restoration (e.g., Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, arborist, etc.).
• Familiarity with the Great Lakes region’s ecological, cultural, and regulatory landscape.
• Experience with wetland and stream mitigation banking, such as site selection, design, permitting, construction oversight, and monitoring.
• Experience with projects that incorporate aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial habitat elements.
• Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and other relevant software tools for environmental analysis and mapping.
• 10-15 years of direct environmental consulting experience in the Great Lakes region preferred, with considerable experience in Wisconsin.