Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Project Manager

Freese and Nichols Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Project Manager to join their Houston office. This role offers the chance to work on impactful projects for various clients, focusing on water provision, quality, and ecological restoration. The ideal candidate will have over six years of experience in environmental regulations and project management, leading teams and ensuring compliance with federal and state programs. With a flexible work environment and a commitment to employee development, this position is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in the field of environmental science while enjoying a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Paid overtime for salaried employees

Annual bonus

Access to company cabins

Flexible work environment

Alternative work schedule (every other Friday off)

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in environmental project management required.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulatory programs is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental projects addressing water quality and ecological restoration.
• Prepare NEPA documentation and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Leadership

Field Work

Communication Skills

GIS Applications

Client Relations

Team Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management

M.S. degree in similar ecological field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Environmental Scientist/Ecologist Project Manager

Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) is currently seeking to add an Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to our Houston, TX office. Candidates will have the opportunity to work on projects for federal, state, and local government clients as well as private sector clients throughout Texas, and other locations along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The selected candidate will serve as one of several Environmental Project Managers within FNI. The selected candidate would also serve as Project Manager/Lead Scientist on environmental projects that would collaborate with other professionals on projects that address water provision, water quality, flood risk reduction and stormwater planning, ecological restoration, coastal resiliency, and various infrastructure improvements – to successfully deliver projects to FNI clients in our Western Gulf Coast Division.

Candidates should have 6+ years of direct experience helping clients navigate Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Endangered Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other similar environmental regulations. Preferred candidates should have direct knowledge and the technical skills necessary to address requirements of federal and state regulatory programs. In addition to technical skills and staff mentorship, the preferred candidate would also assist with business development (i.e., doer-seller) and growing our ecology program and client base in Houston. This role requires knowledge and experience with the following:

• Providing technical leadership and project management on a variety of planning and permitting projects for our federal, state, local, and private sector clients.
• Development and delivery of written reports and technical memorandums and overseeing Quality Assurance/Quality Control of team member’s work.
• Serving as a technical resource and coordinating workload throughout project development to complete deliverables on schedule.
• Supporting and leading field work, including waters of the US (WOTUS) delineations, habitat assessments, and vegetation mapping.
• Interacting with federal, state, and local government agencies to understand regulatory requirements on projects.
• Ability to travel, with overnight travel common. Occasional travel may be required up to 25% of the time.
• Presenting at technical conferences.
• Familiarity with federally listed species and Endangered Species Act requirements.
• Coordinating with internal and external design engineers and stakeholder groups.
• Preparing NEPA documentation (CEs, EAs, and EISs) and knowledge of the NEPA process.
• Preparing CEs, EDFs, EIDs, and other similar documentation for compliance with state-funded programs (i.e., TWDB, TxDOT, etc.).
• Establishing and maintaining client relations, and engaging in client interactions and events/societies.
• Developing and delivering oral presentations at public and client meetings.
• Ability to understand and communicate concepts of GIS applications.
• Developing Statements of Qualifications or Proposals, participation in short-list presentations to win projects, and preparation of scopes and fees for awarded projects.
• Team management and staff mentorship.
• Ability to perform in strenuous work conditions. Periodic work in inclement weather is possible.
• Off-road driving experience, as well as experience towing trailers is preferred.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Rangeland Ecology, or similar ecological field required.
• 6+ years of experience.
• Ability to utilize software including Microsoft Office products.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred

• M.S. degree in similar ecological field is preferred.
• Familiarity with federally listed species in Texas.
• Familiarity with coastal resources and issues in Texas and other U.S. Gulf States.
• Experience leading a team of scientists.

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.

We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package, we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.

Join our team of 1,200+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at our careers page.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because he or she is an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

We recognize that our workforce reflects the increasingly diverse nature of our society, and we strive to take advantage of that diversity with both our external and internal customers. As a Federal Contractor, Freese and Nichols is an equal employment, affirmative action employer.

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