Consulting Associate, Environmental Scientist

ERM; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM in Houston, Texas is seeking an entry‑level Environmental Scientist for a Consulting Associate role. You’ll gain hands‑on field experience, work with senior consultants, and contribute to projects that protect natural resources while supporting responsible development.

You’ll join ERM’s Impact Assessment team, performing fieldwork and data analysis to support infrastructure, energy, and development projects with regional and national scope.

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MS in a natural science discipline, or the equivalency of 8+ years related experience
• 0+ years of professional experience
• Coursework or training in wetland delineation using the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and applicable Regional Supplements
• Familiarity with Army Corps of Engineers Regional Supplements (Arid West and/or Great Plains)
• Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork up to 75% of the time, outdoors and in variable conditions
• Working knowledge of GPS technologies and map interpretation (e.g., NWI, USGS, aerial imagery)
• Strong commitment to health, safety, and fieldwork best practices
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing needs, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wetland delineations in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements
• Document ordinary high‑water marks (OHWM) and geophysical characteristics of waterbodies
• Perform habitat and environmental assessments
• Complete data collection, GPS data management, and quality review
• Support desktop environmental constraints analysis and permitting processes
• Assist with survey report preparation and permit applications
• Participate in fieldwork safely and in alignment with ERM and client safety standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and subject matter experts
• Communicate effectively with clients and internal stakeholders on environmental science matters
• Deliver work in accordance with scope, schedule, budget, and ERM quality standards
• Support the growth and delivery of ERM’s environmental and impact assessment services

Skills

Fieldwork readiness

Written communication

Verbal communication

Independent work

Safety practices

Driver’s license

Education

BA/BS or MS in natural science or 8+ years experience

Tools

GPS technologies

GIS / mapping interpretation

GPS data management

Job description

Launch Your Environmental Consulting Career in the Field with ERM

Are you ready to turn your passion for environmental science into real-world impact? At ERM , you won’t spend your early career on the sidelines. As a Consulting Associate, Environmental Scientist in Houston, Texas , you’ll gain hands‑on field experience, work alongside experienced environmental consultants, and contribute to projects that help protect natural resources while supporting responsible development. This is an opportunity to build technical expertise, develop your consulting skills, and make a meaningful contribution from day one with a global leader in sustainability.

Why This Role Matters

In this role, you’ll play an important role in helping clients understand, assess, and responsibly manage environmental impacts. Your work will support critical infrastructure, energy, and development projects by providing the environmental data and analysis needed to inform sound decisions while promoting environmental stewardship.

What Your Impact Is

As part of ERM’s Impact Assessment team, you’ll provide analytical and field support for a wide range of environmental projects, including wetland delineations, habitat assessments, environmental constraints analyses, and permitting efforts. Working closely with experienced professionals, you’ll help deliver technically sound, fit‑for‑purpose solutions while developing a strong foundation in environmental consulting and field sciences.

What You’ll Bring

Required

• BA/BS or Master’s degree in a natural science discipline, or the equivalency of 8+ years related experience in lieu of education, or equivalent experience
• 0+ years of professional experience
• Coursework or training in wetland delineation using the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and applicable Regional Supplements
• Familiarity with Army Corps of Engineers Regional Supplements (Arid West and/or Great Plains)
• Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork up to 75% of the time, outdoors and in variable conditions
• Working knowledge of GPS technologies and map interpretation (e.g., NWI, USGS, aerial imagery)
• Strong commitment to health, safety, and fieldwork best practices
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing needs, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Previous internship, field course, or hands‑on experience with wetland delineation or habitat assessments
• Experience collecting, reviewing, or managing environmental field data
• Local or regional familiarity with the Houston area and surrounding environments
• Local candidates preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct wetland delineations in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements
• Document ordinary high‑water marks (OHWM) and geophysical characteristics of waterbodies
• Perform habitat and environmental assessments
• Complete data collection, GPS data management, and quality review
• Support desktop environmental constraints analysis and permitting processes
• Assist with survey report preparation and permit applications
• Participate in fieldwork safely and in alignment with ERM and client safety standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members and subject matter experts
• Communicate effectively with clients and internal stakeholders on environmental science matters
• Deliver work in accordance with scope, schedule, budget, and ERM quality standards
• Support the growth and delivery of ERM’s environmental and impact assessment services

_ Who We Are: _
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world‑class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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