Associate Environmental Scientist

QK; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

QK is seeking an Associate Environmental Scientist to gather, analyze, and interpret complex data for NEPA and CEQA compliance. You will prepare technical documents and presentations, work independently with supervision, and support environmental assessment and remediation projects in California.

The role involves field surveys, data synthesis, and collaboration with senior staff to deliver project deliverables and meet client expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, ecology, environmental biology, or environmental science.
• 2–5 years of experience, especially NEPA/CEQA compliance, wetlands delineations, CWA/ESA.
• Field experience in California or with CA species preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys for threatened, endangered, or rare species in support of environmental regs.
• Prepare technical documents and presentations with NEPA/CEQA emphasis.
• Assist senior staff with agency presentations and client meetings.
• Compile data for public presentations and reports.
• Coordinate permits and monitor land-use / habitat protection.

Skills

Species identification

Field surveys

Data analysis

Technical writing

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in biology / environmental science

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Position Purpose

Associate Environmental Scientists use their species specific and relevant environmental knowledge to provide important services pertaining to the health of communities and work to protect the environment from serious hazards. This position is a professional position with responsibility for gathering, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting complex data, then utilizing the information to prepare technical documents and presentations, with an emphasis on NEPA and CEQA compliance. This position is one of a team member who works with general direction from his/her supervisor and expresses a higher level of independence than an Assistant Environmental Scientist by performing more complex tasks with less direct oversight. The Associate Environment Scientist will assist in routine to moderately complex environmental assessment and remediation projects. This includes the assessment of the risks of new construction to the environment that is needed in order to complete our projects.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys for threatened, endangered, or rare species, as well as species' habitat in support of ESA, CWA, Section 404, and other environmental regulations
• Observe and monitor species in the field
• Conduct archival / electronic research with USFWS and other state and federal agencies
• Conduct land use / development monitoring for natural / biological resources protection
• Assure permits are requested and maintained appropriately
• Provide input for those sections of NEPA and CEQA documents pertaining to environment and data collection methodology
• Prepare leave in technical memoranda, meeting minutes, transmittals, presentations, and other written materials
• Assist senior staff with presentations to public agencies and clients
• Assist with teaching junior staff
• Compile data and information for public presentations
• Other duties as assigned or as needed in order to successfully complete project deliverables or meet internal goals

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Species identification and research / survey, vegetation community and habitat classification and inventory, monitoring, data synthesis and interpretations required
• Ability to develop creative solutions to project issues
• Ability to take direction and use initiative to complete tasks without direct supervision
• Ability to organize, collect and analyze data, generate and evaluate alternatives, reach logical conclusions, and formulate consistent recommendations as necessary
• Proficient in MS Word and Excel
• Quantitative analysis skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Critical thinking skills
• Technical writing skills
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods
• Strong ability to communicate well (in writing and verbally) with other staff, clients, and agencies to accomplish team goals
• Visual acuity and manual dexterity
• Ability to perform repetitive wrist and hand motions required
• Ability to travel to field sites and walk long distances may be required on occasion

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, ecology, environmental biology, or environmental science

Experience

• Two (2) to five (5) years' experience (or MA/MS and one (1) years of experience), especially in the areas of NEPA and CEQA compliance, wetlands delineations, CWA, ESA, and related federal and/or state environmental compliance regulations. Field experience in California or with CA species preferred.

Organizational Relationships

The Associate Environmental Scientist provides support to all members of the environmental scientist group, as well as the planning group. Assistant Environmental Scientists are assigned to a Team/Group Leader for managerial purposes but will also receive guidance and direction from the discipline's Technical Leader. The Associate Environmental Scientist is encouraged to create a mentor/protégé relationship with one or more senior members of the bio team and may be asked to act as a Teaming Advisor for junior staff. Associate Environmental Scientists are expected to work with both planning and bio team members throughout the entire firm in order to promote our “One Company” philosophy.