Ecologist

VHB; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Recognition programs

Job summary

VHB is seeking an experienced Ecologist to support our Atlanta office within a transportation-focused practice. The role includes leading field surveys, wetlands assessment, habitat evaluations, and protected species work, with opportunities to develop proposals and contribute to multi-disciplinary environmental impact assessments.

The position requires 5–8+ years of related experience, a valid driver’s license, and expertise in ArcGIS Pro, wetland delineation, GPS data collection, and MS

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in biology, ecology, environmental/natural science, landscape architecture, or related field.
• 5-8+ years of professional experience with transportation and energy client-driven process and procedures.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Preference given to experience preparing ecology reports for the Georgia Department of Transportation or other state transportation departments.
• Experience with wetland/surface water permitting, ecological surveys and studies, habitat assessment, field data collection and documentation, data analysis and evaluation.
• Preference given to WPIT, PWS, CWB certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead field surveys and habitat assessments for protected species.
• Perform ecological studies, including field surveys, reports, and QA/QC.
• Assist with proposals and cost qualifications statements.
• Manage wetlands assessment work including delineations and mapping.
• Coordinate with agencies, clients, and project managers to support permitting and compliance.

Skills

MS Office

ArcGIS Pro

GPS data collection

Field surveys

Wetland delineation

Habitat assessment

Protected species surveys

Technical writing

Communication skills

Team collaboration

First-Aid/CPR

Education

B.S. in biology/ecology or related field

WPIT / PWS / CWB certifications

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

GPS data collection tech

MS Office

Job description

About the Position

VHB is looking for an experienced Ecologist to support our Atlanta office in our growing transportation-focused practice. Our dynamic team practices across a range of natural resources, conducting wetland assessments, protected species surveys and habitat evaluations, aquatic resource surveys, bat studies, and we are looking for an additional team member to contribute to our group.

Responsibilities

• Performance of ecological studies, including leading field surveys, producing reports, and completing QA/QC
• Assistance with proposals
• All aspects of wetlands assessment work including baseline data research, field delineations, wetland and stream mapping and data collection, mitigation credit calculations, US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404/10 permitting processes
• Lead field surveys and habitat assessments for protected species
• Participate in multi-disciplinary environmental impact assessment, permitting, and compliance related to federal and state agency requirements for a variety of project types
• Recommend impact avoidance and minimization strategies to clients
• Engage in collegial one-on-one communications with internal and external project managers, agency representatives, as well as public and private sector clients

Skills And Attributes

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Motivated to learn, mentor, and collaborate with others
• Superior technical skills, producing consistent high-quality work products
• Emerging business development and proposal skills, technical scope writing with qualifications statements and costing are desirable
• Strong field notation skills
• Proficient with general habitat and/or southeastern plant community identification
• Strong wetland delineation skills
• Ability to work long day-time hours in the outdoor environment
• Ability to work well with a wide range of clients
• Ability to work well independently and with a diverse, multi-disciplinary group in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Proficient using GPS-enabled Mobile Data Collection technologies
• Proficient with ArcGIS Pro and GIS applications
• Experience writing due diligence reports and biological assessments
• Aptitude for coordinating surveys and/or consultations for state and federal protected species
• Proficient with federal and state environmental regulations and impact permitting
• Proficient with field safety practices, including First-Aid and CPR

Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in biology, ecology, environmental/natural science, landscape architecture, or related field
• 5-8+ years of professional experience with transportation and energy client-driven process and procedures
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Preference given to experience preparing ecology reports for the Georgia Department of Transportation or other state transportation departments.
• Experience with wetland/surface water permitting, ecological surveys and studies, habitat assessment, field data collection and documentation, data analysis and evaluation
• Preference given to Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT), Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS). Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) or similar expert certifications

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Atlanta, GA, is $80,000 to $95,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program.

Annual base salary is one component of VHB's Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs.

Details on VHB's benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist

Building What's Next, Together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people-driven, future-ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When You Join VHB, You'll Find

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.