Biologist

ERO Resources; Grand Junction (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

ERO Resources seeks an experienced Biologist to lead complex field and office work from proposal through completion with limited supervision. The role includes business development, mentoring, and coordinating with clients and agencies to ensure regulatory compliance.

The position emphasizes project management, scheduling, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration, with a hybrid office option based on performance and project needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, environmental science, ecological restoration, natural resource planning, or similar discipline.
• Typically, at least 10 years of applicable experience, with preference for Colorado-based experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead fieldwork and office work with minimal supervision.
• Develop scopes, reports, and NEPA-related documents.
• Coordinate with clients and agencies to meet regulatory requirements.
• Manage budgets and timelines across projects.
• Supervise biologists and field crews.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Team mentoring

Regulatory knowledge

Budgeting

Client relations

GIS

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Tools

GIS software

Trimble GPS

Access database

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

The Biologist l is responsible for undertaking multiple project responsibilities, including field direction and project management, and are expected to carry projects from proposal to completion with little supervisory oversight. Biologist I’s are knowledgeable in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of scientific information and environmental regulations and will prepare environmental documents including wetland delineation reports, technical reports, sections of NEPA documents and environmental permits, and are responsible for agency coordination.

Biologist l is a leadership role that includes business development and marketing, project management and mentoring duties. This position will include both fieldwork and office duties.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, environmental science, ecological restoration, natural resource planning, or similar discipline.
• Typically, at least 10 years of applicable experience, with preference for Colorado-based experience.

Core Competencies

• Effectively communicate and delegate tasks for complex projects to junior staff, GIS staff and other team members.
• Independently and efficiently prepare reports and scopes for complex projects such as individual permits, biological assessments, or technical reports for NEPA projects.
• Meet deadlines and hours per task targets, communicate early any potential failure to meet these targets with Clients or Principals.
• Clear understanding of regulations and demonstrate ability to communicate regulations to agencies and clients.
• Have strong positive relationships with Clients and agencies.
• Undertake professional agency correspondence and coordination, including permit acquisition.
• Partake in professional development and trainings.
• Market and interact with Clients and actively participate in business development.
• Uses collaborative skills to build a strong team environment and work independently when necessary.

Performance Expectations and Responsibilities

Biologist l’s are required to conduct tasks safely, independently, and efficiently. The position requires a “consultant” approach and mentality to meet project schedule requirements and demands. The position may require greater than 40 hours per week at sometimes of the year and may require weekend work based on project schedule. Overnight travel may be required. This position is based in an ERO designated office with an option for a hybrid work schedule based on employee performance, business needs, field work and client needs.

Employees in this position are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in all work settings, representing ERO with respectful courteous behavior and a positive workplace attitude. Biologists I’s are expected to interact with Clients, attend in person meetings, marketing events and conferences, and prepare scopes and proposal documents.

Business Development (5% to 10% of time)

• Actively pursue and build relationships with new clients and projects.
• Prepare and review technical and cost proposals.

Team Management Duties (5% of time)

• Manage assigned personnel, including conducting yearly employee development and performance reviews.
• Participate in hiring and team capacity planning.
• Establish and enforce team safety guidelines.
• Provide mentoring and leadership to junior staff.

Project Management Duties (75% of time)

• Complete professional agency correspondence and coordination.
• Establish fieldwork and reporting schedule and provide project updates to staff and clients.
• Manage client communication and coordination.
• Initiate, conduct and/or manage project tasks, and conclude projects, including database reviews, field surveys, and reporting.
• Manage budgeting and deadlines for simple to complex projects.
• Project scheduling and supervision of staff-level biologists, technicians, and field teams.
• Developing innovative approaches to Section 404 (CWA), Section 7 (ESA) and other regulatory compliance.
• Maintaining and ensuring scientific and regulatory integrity.

Staff Management (15% of time)

• Delegate and oversee completion of desktop review prior to fieldwork.
• Oversee all tasks during fieldwork, including completion of field forms, photography, mapping with a GPS, or documenting site conditions.
• Delegate field work and clearly explain scope, tasks, and budget for field requirements.
• Effectively lead and manage field crews.
• Verify compliance with safety plan and completion of safety checklists.
• Ensure that all field forms completed by assigned crew are filled out accurately and completely. Complete resource documentation on applicable forms. Check work for accuracy, clarity, and editorial errors.
• Complete basic and complex regulatory documents independently, thoroughly, within schedule, and within budget.Delegate report documentation to junior staff efficiently and communicate clearly budget, scope, tasks, and schedule.
• Prepare and complete large technical reports such as individual permits, biological assessments, or technical reports for NEPA projects, with little direction needed from project managers or principals.
• Work with GIS staff to modify and create figures for reports.
• Work with editors to review final deliverable.
• Effectively communicate with Clients.
• Coordinate with Clients efficiently and effectively on regulations, project requirements, schedule, and deliverables.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Be proactive, take initiative, and assist with Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
• Set an example for seasonal staff or field technicians through professional, hard, and focused work.
• Continue educational opportunities as part of professional development and as responsible biologists. Education opportunities may take the form, workshops, classes, or mentorship with ERO principals or senior staff.
• Mentor and provide training opportunities to junior staff in scoping (including budgeting, scheduling, and staffing), technical expertise/methods, regulations, reports, and client/agency communications.
• Assist with hiring/training interns and junior staff as needed.
• Assist leading resource meetings and developing standards/guidance documents for team.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products and Adobe Acrobat.
• Proficiency in digital data entry including Access database, Trimble GPS, and tablets.
• Effective communication skills – written and verbal.
• Organization, managing multiple priorities, oversight of project staff and deliverables.
• Proven ability to conduct project management tasks and handle multiple priorities including oversight of project staff and deliverables, using available tools to produce regulatory compliant and on-budget project deliverables.
• Proficiency in leading field crews.
• Ability to collaborate with teams, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• In depth understanding of natural resource regulations, including Clean Water Act, CDPHE State Dredge and Fill requirements, Endangered Species Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Use applicable manuals, guidelines, or assessment methods to identify, document, and evaluate natural resources.
• Experience in participating and undertaking field projects to develop technically sound scopes of work and reasonable cost proposals.
• Researching, developing, and writing technical reports on natural resources.
• Effective communication with clients, regulatory agencies, staff, and supervisor.
• Creative thinking to adjust to unforeseen circumstances.

Specialization (AS NEEDED per individual)

• Wildlife biologist
• Aquatic biologist

Physical Requirements

The project areas may be located at high elevations in rugged terrain. Applicants must be physically capable and possess the skills necessary to perform all aspects of fieldwork including strenuous hiking with a heavy backpack in rugged terrain up to 10 miles a day, collecting digital data, completing standard resource forms, performing in-field data analysis, and taking photographs. Must be able to lift 30-50 pounds. Work may also include periods of sedentary work including sitting / standing and use of a computer.

Hybrid Office

This position is based in an ERO designated office with an option for a hybrid work schedule based on employee performance, business needs, fieldwork, and client needs.

Compensation

The range for this position is $70,000-$95,000.

ERO participates in e-verify and preemployment background screening services. ERO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans to apply. For more information about ERO, visit our website at www.eroresources.com.