Environmental Scientist – Ecologist/Biologist (Mid-level)

Stantec; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a mid-level Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to lead field surveys, reporting, and permitting support for clients across renewables, transmission, pipeline, and transportation sectors.

The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of experience, Tennessee QHP or QHP-IT preferred, strong plant identification skills, and proficiency with ArcGIS and GPS mapping to support project teams and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline (biology, ecology, natural resources, soil science, or related field) with field surveys experience in the Southeast.
• 5–10 years of experience desired, with experience leading field teams in inventories and surveys.
• Experience with Waters of the U.S. delineations and permitting preferred; knowledge of NEPA, ESA, and CWA beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams collecting and reporting wetland delineations, wildlife surveys, and habitat characterizations.
• Coordinate agency communications and guide project teams through execution.
• Lead or assist with local, state, and federal permitting including USACE coordination.
• Prepare portions of written reports, tables, spreadsheets, and maps for review.
• GPS data collection and mapping support; ArcGIS online mapping.
• Ensure safety and quality in field operations and collaborate with the broader team.

Skills

Field surveys

Plant identification

Bat mist nets

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental discipline

Tennessee QHP or QHP-IT certification

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS units

Job description

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.

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 the 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.
• Experience 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.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

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 savings 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.

Primary Location: United States | TN | Chattanooga

Other Locations: United States | TN | Nashville

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Stantec prohibits 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.