Natural Resources Scientist - WI or IL

Terracon; Chicago Corners (WI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon in Wisconsin/Illinois seeks a Natural Resources Scientist to lead wetlands projects across the Upper Midwest. You will balance fieldwork, project leadership, and client coordination to deliver compliant environmental solutions.

Requirements include a relevant degree and 7+ years of experience in wetlands, permitting, or NEPA, with Trimble/ArcGIS proficiency. This full-time hybrid role offers growth and diverse project exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience or 11 years if no degree.
• Senior-level experience in waters of the U.S./permitting or NEPA.
• Section 401/404 permitting experience.
• Valid driver’s license; field-based role.
• Relevant certifications; wetland credentials preferred.
• Knowledge of WDNR/IL regulations; agency coordination.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and execute environmental and wetland projects from fieldwork to reporting.
• Perform and oversee wetland delineations, surveys, sampling, and analyses.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Serve as technical resource and mentor junior scientists; coordinate field staff.
• Develop and review technical reports, permit applications, and client proposals.
• Collaborate with clients, regulators, and internal teams on planning and delivery.
• Uphold safety, quality, and professional standards on all projects.
• Progress toward Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer certification with mentoring.

Skills

Wetland delineation

Ecological field surveys

Regulatory compliance

Client coordination

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field

Master’s degree preferred

PhD preferred

Tools

Trimble

ESRI ArcGIS

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Role: Natural Resources Scientist

Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin or Chicago, IL or Glendale Heights, IL

Onsite/Hybrid

Full-Time

Salary Range: $85,000 - $108,000

Mid-Senior Level | Level Determined by Experience

Make a lasting impact on wetlands, natural resources, and environmental compliance across the Upper Midwest, while growing your career with a respected environmental consulting firm. This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse, meaningful projects throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, with a strong balance of fieldwork, project leadership, and client collaboration.

General Responsibilities:

• Prepare permit applications, risk assessments, and technical documentation – including proposals, reports, and regulatory agency correspondence.
• Design environmental protection plans and support sustainable site development initiatives.

Projects May Include:

• Ecological and natural resource field surveys.
• Wetland and waters of the U.S. delineations, impact assessments, and permitting.
• Wetland mitigation.
• Stormwater management.
• Site planning and regulatory permitting.
• Habitat assessments and agency coordination.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Plan, lead, and execute environmental and wetland projects of moderate to high complexity, from fieldwork through reporting.
• Perform and oversee wetland delineations, ecological field surveys, sampling, and scientific analyses.
• Ensure projects meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Serve as a technical resource and team lead, mentoring junior scientists and coordinating field staff.
• Develop and review technical reports, permit applications, and client proposals.
• Analyze and interpret complex field and laboratory data to support defensible conclusions.
• Collaborate directly with clients, regulators, and internal teams on project planning and delivery.
• Uphold safety, quality, and professional standards on all projects
• Progress toward Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer certification with structured mentoring.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Engineering, Geology, Archaeology, or related discipline. Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 11 years’ related experience.
• Demonstrated senior-level experience in waters of the U.S./permitting, listed species, or NEPA.
• Section 401/404 permitting and/or listed species experience needed.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history.
• Certification in the field of expertise required.
• Wisconsin DNR Assured wetland delineator credentials preferred.
• Illinois Lake County and DuPage County Wetland certification preferred.
• Knowledge of WDNR, IL state and local and USACE jurisdictional wetland regulations.
• Familiarity using Trimble and ESRI products.