Entry-level Environmental Scientist

Woodard & Curran; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Woodard & Curran in Duluth, Georgia is seeking an entry-level scientist to support environmental assessment, compliance, and remediation projects as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

The position involves fieldwork such as wetland delineation, GPS data collection, GIS mapping, and report preparation, with opportunities to travel up to 2–4 weeks. A BS in natural resources or related field is required; MS preferred.

Qualifications

• BS degree in natural resources, ecology, environmental science, fisheries, wildlife biology, chemistry, geology, environmental engineering, or related discipline.
• MS degree is preferred but not required
• 1-2 years of field experience in ecological and natural sciences is preferred but not required
• Knowledge of eastern US flora and fauna, especially wetland and riparian flora
• Proficiency with GPS hardware and software (EOS Arrow, Trimble, Garmin, Bad Elf, etc.)
• GIS experience (ESRI ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcPro, ArcMap, etc) desirable
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification preferred
• Ability to work long, physically demanding hours in various weather conditions in remote locations
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain and carry field equipment up to 40 lbs
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel as project requires

Responsibilities

• Delineation of wetlands using regional supplements to USACE Wetland Delineation Manual
• Identify episodic, intermittent, and perennial streams
• Complete biological assessments such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat surveys
• GPS/GIS data management and mapping of environmental resources
• Assist with preparation of USACE Section 404 permit applications
• Assist with State 401 Water Quality Certification applications (Georgia EPD)
• Assist with preparation of NPDES construction stormwater permit applications
• Complete E&S inspections on active construction sites
• Conduct environmental sampling with proper integrity and chain-of-custody
• Coordinate samples with labs for analysis
• Site visits to document environmental compliance and reporting

Skills

communication skills

travel willingness

fieldwork endurance

Education

BS in natural resources / ecology / environmental science

MS preferred

Tools

GPS hardware/software

GIS software

HAZWOPER certification

Job description

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports professional growth, flexibility, and meaningful work, empowering our employees to make a lasting impact on our clients, communities, and the planet.

We are recruiting for an entry-level scientist to work in our Duluth, Georgia office who can support environmental assessment, compliance, and remediation projects as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Successful candidates will be interested in ecology, wildlife biology, soil science, hydrology, environmental policy, geography, botany, earth sciences, natural resources stewardship, and water resource management. This position would report to and interact with senior scientists, engineers, and project managers, and would be involved with industrial, linear utility, oil and gas, water resources, site remediation, ecological restoration/conservation, and other environmental engineering projects. The right candidate will be professional, courteous, self-motivated, and diligent. The preferred candidate will be flexible team player and should be prepared to travel for up to 2-4 weeks at a time for certain assignments.

Typical field work activities would likely include wetland and waterbody delineations, stream assessments, threatened and endangered species habitat surveys, global positioning system (GPS) data collection, environmental site assessments, environmental sampling (i.e. soil, surface water, ground water, wastewater, etc.), and erosion and sediment control (E&SC) inspections. Typical office duties would include assistance with technical report preparation, preparation of environmental permit applications, desktop analysis of project sites using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GIS mapping of field-collected scientific data, assistance with development of presentations for technical workshops and conferences, communication with local/state/federal regulatory agencies, and some limited client communications.

Important Responsibilities:

• Delineation of wetlands using the appropriate regional supplements to the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual
• Identification of episodic, intermittent, and perennial streams
• Completion of biological assessments such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat field surveys
• GPS/GIS data management and mapping of environmental resources
• Assistance with preparation of USACE Section 404 permit applications
• Assistance with preparation of State 401 Water Quality Certification applications (including Georgia EPD state waters buffer variances)
• Assistance with preparation of NPDES construction stormwater permit applications
• Completion of E&SC inspections on active construction sites
• Environmental sampling while following appropriate sample integrity and chain-of-custody procedures
• Sample coordination with appropriate laboratory for sample analysis
• Site visits to document other environmental compliance and associated reporting

Skills and Qualifications:

• BS degree in natural resources, ecology, environmental science, fisheries, wildlife biology, chemistry, geology, environmental engineering, or related discipline
• MS degree is preferred, but not required
• 1-2 years of field experience in the ecological and natural sciences is preferred, but not required
• Knowledge of eastern United States flora and fauna, especially wetland and riparian flora
• Formal wetland delineation training is preferred, but not required
• Proficiency with GPS hardware and software (EOS Arrow, Trimble, Garmin, Bad Elf, etc.)
• GIS experience (ESRI ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcPro, ArcMap, etc) is highly desirable, but not required
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is preferred, but not required
• Ability to work long, physically demanding hours in a variety of weather conditions in remote locations
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain and carry field equipment (up to 40 lbs)
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel as project requires

*We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this job opening.

$48,000 - $60,000 a year

Woodard & Curran offers a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits & workplace policies visit Benefit & Policy Information - Woodard & Curran.

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Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility: Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

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