Environmental Scientist – Permitting & NEPA Lead

HSG, LLC; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, FL seeks an Environmental Scientist (Natural Resources SME) to support the Environmental Management Branch in permitting, NEPA compliance, and regulatory coordination with agencies such as USACE, FDEP, and USFWS.

The role emphasizes environmental permitting, strategy development, and guidance to engineers and contractors to ensure regulatory compliance and responsible project execution within a dynamic aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, planning, policy, engineering, or related field.
• 4–8 years of relevant professional experience in environmental permitting and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of environmental permitting processes and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., Clean Water Act, ESA, CZMA).
• Ability to read and interpret environmental permit applications, regulations, site plans, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to work across technical disciplines as a team member.

Responsibilities

• Assist NASA EMB with management of environmental permitting and compliance efforts with regulatory agencies including USACE, FDEP, USFWS, and SJRWMD.
• Review and evaluate engineering drawings, site plans, and permit applications to assess environmental impacts and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with contractor environmental SMEs to support project goals.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams on natural resource avoidance, minimization, and mitigation, including wetland mitigation and vegetation management.
• Support environmental compliance efforts, including coordination with NEPA and NHPA subject matter experts, while focusing primarily on environmental permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Advise and provide consultation with NASA on permitting strategies and compliance requirements.
• Conduct environmental reviews, support the KSC NEPA environmental checklist and REC process, and communicate regulatory requirements to contractors and stakeholders.
• Perform research and contribute to environmental policy, guidance documents, and multidisciplinary team initiatives.

Skills

Environmental Permitting

Regulatory Compliance

NEPA Knowledge

Communication

GIS Familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, planning, policy, engineering, or related field

Tools

GIS Software

Job description

NASA Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, FL seeks an Environmental Scientist (Natural Resources SME) to support the Environmental Management Branch in permitting, NEPA compliance, and regulatory coordination with agencies such as USACE, FDEP, and USFWS.

The role emphasizes environmental permitting, strategy development, and guidance to engineers and contractors to ensure regulatory compliance and responsible project execution within a dynamic aerospace environment.