On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner

WSP; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner in the Albuquerque area (NM) or El Paso, TX. You will support environmental planning services and ensure projects comply with environmental regulations, with responsibilities across planning, field surveys, and stakeholder collaboration.

Preferred candidates have a degree in environmental fields and 1–5 years of field experience, plus GIS and office software proficiency. Travel to SE New Mexico/NM areas is common.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–5 years environmental planning field experience, surveys for plants and animals, permitting.
• Ability to work schedules extending beyond typical workweek.
• Strong analytical skills with research methods, local/regional ecology, habitats.
• Knowledge of environmental laws, permitting and regulatory framework.
• Proficient interpersonal and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency identifying flora and fauna of the desert southwest.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws under supervision.
• Contribute to natural resources portions of planning documents.
• Assist with project development requirements with WSP personnel, contractors, and agency/tribal stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Local ecology

Regulatory knowledge

Field survey experience

GIS basics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

This Opportunity

At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be a part of future-focused business objectives to support our vast client base. Across the world, the importance of ethical environmental systems and projects are the foundation of shaping the future of our environment. Through public consultancy, strategic planning practices and stakeholder engagement, we can provide clients a concrete and realistic understanding of a project’s impact.

As a world-wide leader of environmental and transportation consulting and planning services, we invite you to be a part of that vision. OurPlanning & Environment groupis looking for anOn-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Plannerout of our Albuquerque, NM, or El Paso, TX, offices to support and add to our wide and diverse range of environmental planning services that enables future-ready growth.

Your Impact

Design

• Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws and regulations under close supervision
• Contribute to the natural resources portions of planning documents
• Assist with implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders

Analyze

• Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision - up to 80% time spent traveling (primarily to SE New Mexico) for 2-6 days at a time, on average
• Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes

Collaborate

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Other duties as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science (Botany, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Natural Resource Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 1 to 5 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species required.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
• Proficient interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Proficiency with local (desert southwest) plant and animal identification
• Experience with discipline-specific software (Microsoft Office Suite)
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
• Travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, resource management, environmental science, biology, or a related field
• Growing industry knowledge through participating in local professional practice organization
• Exposure to ArcGIS
• Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public
• May participate in and conduct field delineation of wetlands and waters of the US or other field or permitting activities
• Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants
• Exposure to creating, editing, and analyzing information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to produce maps and spatial analysis for a variety of topic areas, including: natural resources, land use / land cover, ecotypes, habitat, etc.

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