Environmental Scientist 1

HDR; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Environmental Scientist 1 to support utility clients with environmental and construction permitting and compliance, with a primary focus on stormwater management permitting. The role includes assisting with related permitting, wildlife compliance, and local planning approvals.

You will work with an experienced team of environmental scientists and project managers, coordinating with clients and agencies, and contributing to deliverables across various permitting scopes.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in environmental science or related field.
• Experience with environmental and construction permitting processes.
• Strong technical writing skills for reports, correspondence and permit applications.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing project compliance during construction, including site visits and documentation.
• Review regulations and ensure applicability to projects.
• Develop permitting matrices and timelines for client templates and schedules.
• Coordinate with client and permitting agencies on HDR projects.
• Assist with field visits, deliverable production and QA of submittals.

Skills

2+ years experience

Permitting experience

Technical writing

Active construction site experience

Strong organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Tools

Bluebeam

GIS

CAD drafting

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side‑by‑side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is looking for an Environmental Scientist 1 to support utility clients with environmental and construction permitting and compliance. This role has a primary focus on construction stormwater management permitting and compliance, with supplemental work supporting floodplain development permitting, wetland permitting, right‑of‑way permitting, local planning approvals, and wildlife compliance support.

In this role, the candidate would be expected to:

• Supporting ongoing project compliance through construction (reviewing inspection reports, attending routine calls, post‑construction site visits and documentation).
• Accommodating changing project schedules and scopes – shifting attention as needed.
• Managing tasks between competing project interests; tracking workload with support of supervisor.
• Effectively communicate over phone, email, or messaging platforms.
• Review local, State, and Federal regulations for applicability to projects
• Perform pre‑construction and post‑construction site visits
• Review engineering design packages for environmental / local permitting compliance
• Develop permitting matrices and timelines – for integration into client templates or overall schedules

The candidate would work with an experienced team including other environmental scientists and project managers of varying experience and backgrounds.

• Coordinating directly with client and permitting approval agencies representing HDR
• Directing internal resources/supporting staff (CAD/GIS, wildlife biologists, land agents, public outreach)
  • Coordinating/attending field visits
  • Overseeing deliverable production
  • Review deliverables for consistency with client project scope
• Managing deliverable production and distribution
  • Upload and track permitting submittals through jurisdictional permitting portals
  • Conduct file management per client and internal specifications
• Development of figures and map sets in coordination with GIS/CAD staff

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience.
• Experience in Bluebeam, GIS or CAD drafting.
• Experience in local or federal permitting or agency review processes.
• Strong technical writing skills, including experience preparing technical reports, agency correspondence, permit applications, and other project documentation.
• Experience on active construction sites.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in an environment with changing deadlines and priorities.