Environmental Scientist – Ecologist/Biologist (Mid-level)

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Wellness program

401(k) plan

Ten paid holidays per year

Vacation 10–20 days per year

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. is seeking a mid-level Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to lead field surveys, reporting, and permitting support across renewable energy, transmission, pipelines, and transportation sectors.

The role involves extensive travel (up to 75% of the time), working with a team of biologists, ecologists, and NEPA specialists, and coordinating with regulators. A bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline and regional survey experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline with regional field survey experience.
• 5–10 years in natural resource inventories and surveys.
• Experience with Waters of the US delineations and permitting preferred.
• TN QHP preferred or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead field teams on wetland delineations and wildlife surveys.
• Coordinate agency communications, oversee assessments, guide project teams.
• Lead or assist with local, state, and federal permitting efforts.
• Prepare portions of written reports, tables, spreadsheets, and maps.
• GPS data collection, processing, and mapping support.
• ArcGIS online mapping and data collection applications.

Skills

Field surveys

NEPA knowledge

Report writing

Team leadership

GPS mapping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS units

Job description

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields with dedication, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are devoted to fostering a community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. Here, you can apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental professionals on work that’s vital to our clients and the communities they serve.

Join a team that’s naturally committed to the environment.

Your Opportunity

Stantec’s southeastern environmental services group is seeking a mid‑level Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to lead environmental field surveys, reporting, and permitting support for our clients in the renewable energy, electric transmission, pipeline, transportation, and other business sectors. The ideal candidate will have experience in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the southeast with Waters of the U.S. (WOUS) delineations and permitting, stream assessments and sampling, endangered species habitat assessments and surveys, reporting, and project task coordination.

As an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist, you will work in a highly dynamic team environment with other biologists/ecologists/water resource specialists, ecosystem restoration engineers, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specialists, environmental planners, and regulatory experts. This will involve extensive travel and several days in the field and away from home as well as some office work.

Our Environmental Services group is dedicated to managing environmental issues professionally and proactively. Our staff include specialists in wetland science, threatened and endangered species surveys, vegetation inventories, NEPA, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), cultural resources, hydrogeology, engineering, habitat and ecosystem restoration, environmental remediation, and GIS.

We help our clients identify constraints and respond to opportunities within the changing regulatory and corporate environment through active engagement with the public, stakeholder groups, and government regulators.

This opportunity can be located in Stantec's Chattanooga, TN, Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY or Lexington, KY offices.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead teams that collect and report on tasks that include wetland delineations, wildlife surveys and habitat characterizations, land use mapping and vegetation cover classification, and other natural resource‑focused surveys.
• Coordinate agency communications, oversee technical assessments, and guide project teams through successful execution.
• Lead or assist with permitting efforts at the local, state, and federal level including agency coordination with United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), following NEPA, Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Clean Water Act (CWA) compliance as well as applicable state regulations.
• Assist with and prepare portions of written reports, tables, spreadsheets, databases, and maps for client and regulatory agency review.
• GPS data collection, processing, and mapping support.
• ArcGIS online mapping and data collection applications.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Strong field identification and classification skills of U.S. Southeast regional plant species and/or experience in bat mist net surveys is preferred.
• Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional (QHP) or QHP-IT certification preferred.
• Demonstrated level of understanding of technical environmental impact analysis methods related to state and federal environmental regulations.
• The ability to solve problems using critical thinking and to complete tasks with consideration to their own and the team's safety is important.
• A positive attitude in all working conditions is key.
• Experienced at working well in a team atmosphere and independently as required.
• Working understanding of policies and procedures for HSSE, including client‑specific training (as required).
• Must have the willingness to learn new skills while conducting field work.
• Builds and maintains productive professional and personal networking relationships within their technical team and Business Center.
• Good driving record and valid driver’s license required.
• Willingness to travel and conduct field work in potentially remote areas for extended periods (up to 75% of the time) including overnight travel is expected for this position. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
• Must be comfortable with computers and hand‑held GPS units or other similar GPS based survey equipment. Technical writing skills are necessary for this position.
• Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Where lawful, may require post‑employment drug testing based on client needs and requirements.

Education and Experience

• The ideal candidate will have at minimum, a bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline (biology, ecology, natural resources, soil science, or related natural resources field) with demonstrated experience with biological surveys in the region.
• Experience of 5-10 years is desired, with experience leading field teams in natural resource inventories and surveys.

Pay Transparency

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary

Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full‑time and part‑time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.

Location

Primary Location: United States | TN | Chattanooga

Other Locations: United States | TN | Nashville

Organization: BC-1726 EnvSvcs-US Gulf East

Employee Status: Regular

Business Justification: Replacement

Travel: Yes

Schedule: Full time