Lead Forest Ecologist

WSP in the U.S.; Remote; USD 95,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and professional services firm is seeking a Lead Forest Ecologist based in California to join their Earth and Environment Team. The ideal candidate will have 7-10 years of experience in ecology, particularly with federal lands, and expertise in environmental compliance and project leadership. Responsibilities include leading ecological data collection, advising on forest planning, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. This role offers a salary range of $95,400 to $141,680 and includes benefits focused on employee health and financial stability.

Benefits

Comprehensive health coverage

Retirement savings plan

Paid vacation and sick leave

Remote work flexibility

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of experience working as a Forester or Forest Ecologist, with at least 5 years on federal lands.
• Well-developed expertise conducting environmental analysis and preparing associated documentation.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and compliance with company policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as forester or forest ecologist on multiple projects across several states.
• Lead and organize forestry and ecology field data collection and related report preparation.
• Advise team members on forest planning and impact analysis.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or related field

Tools

GIS software

NEPA / CEQA compliance tools

Job description

Lead Forest Ecologist

WSP USA is initiating a search for a Lead Forest Ecologist to join our California Earth and Environment Team! Our California-based team consists of members concentrated in California, but many live and work on projects in multiple states across the U.S. based on our team’s capabilities and interests.

Responsibilities

• Serve as forester or forest ecologist on multiple projects in multiple states, including three ongoing projects in Oregon.
• Identify potential new clients and project opportunities nationally with internal members of the organization.
• Lead/organize forestry and/or ecology field data collection and prepare related reports.
• Advise other team members on forest planning and impact analysis related to US Forest Service and other federal agencies.
• Grow our ability to undertake vegetation modeling, including Forest Vegetation Simulation (FVS) modeling and other statistical analyses to support multiple projects.
• Participate in wildfire mitigation planning.
• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams which could include engineers, planners, GIS analysts, recreation specialists, biologists, cultural resources specialists, permitting and environmental resource specialists, and construction compliance monitors.
• Lead or assist with GIS data generation and management, particularly for ecological data, for federal or state clients.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
• 7 to 10 years of experience working as a Forester or Forest ecologist, with at least 5 years associated with federal lands.
• US Forest Service Experience.
• Well-developed expertise with conducting NEPA / CEQA / other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
• Highly capable self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Up to 20% travel may be required for field work and client meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications as applicable to technical expertise.
• Knowledge of federal and state, and local environmental regulations related to sensitive species in Washington, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings. Ability to work remotely from any location in the US, while supporting projects nationally.

Compensation

Expected Salary: $95,400 – $141,680 (in good faith based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location).

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.