Project Scientist, Natural Resources

RK&K; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

RK&K is seeking a Project Scientist to join our Natural Resources Team in Baltimore. You will lead wetland and forest delineation, permitting, habitat improvement and ecological restoration projects, guiding teams through regulatory processes and coordinating with agencies and clients.

You will manage field and office tasks, mentor junior staff, and support business development while working with a multidisciplinary team across transportation, water resources, utilities and site development

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in environmental sciences or related field.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of environmental laws including CWA 404/401, ESA and state acts.
• GIS experience preferred (ArcGIS).
• Field data collection; ability to work in teams and independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage natural resources projects with deliverables, schedules and budgets.
• Assist with regulatory guidance, permitting strategies and technical writing.
• Lead development of technical reports, delineations, and permit applications.
• Serve as field team lead for delineations, assessments and species work.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical guidance to teams.
• Facilitate meetings and present to teams, clients and agencies.
• Support business development and marketing activities.
• Participate in internal training and professional development.

Skills

GIS experience (ArcGIS)

Regulatory knowledge

Field data collection

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or Natural Resources

Master's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS

Microstation

AutoCAD

GPS data collection tools

Job description

RK&K is seeking a Project Scientist to join our Natural Resources Team in Baltimore. In this role you will be actively involved in a variety of wetland and forest delineation, permitting, habitat improvement, ecological restoration, protected species and other environmental projects, and will lead projects through a challenging regulatory environment by managing current projects, leading project teams, and collaborating with regulatory agencies and clients. You will work with a multidisciplinary RK&K team supporting transportation infrastructure, water resources, utilities, and site development projects in Maryland and throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Essential Functions

• Manage natural resources projects including all task deliverables, schedules, budgets, QA/QC reviews and internal and external coordination and communication to ensure successful project completion
• Assist engineering teams with regulatory guidance, permitting strategies, technical writing, proposal development, construction environmental compliance, and oversight/management of environmental tasks for a variety of projects
• Lead development of technical reports, Forest Stand Delineation and Forest Conservation Plans, wetland/stream documentation, and permit applications
• Serve as field team lead for wetland delineations, forest assessments, tree inventories, mitigation site searches, protected species and other natural resource efforts
• Mentor junior staff scientists and provide technical guidance to project teams
• Facilitate meetings, develop presentation materials and present to project teams, clients, and agencies
• Support business development and marketing
• Participate in internal training and professional development, including safety, wetland and ecological training modules

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or Natural Resources
• 5 to 7 years of relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulations including Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401, Endangered Species Act, Maryland Forest Conservation Act, Maryland Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands regulations, Maryland Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, and NEPA
• GIS experience (ArcGIS preferred)
• GPS field data collection Team-oriented but also able to work independently
• Adept at juggling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Organized, detail oriented, thorough and responsive
• Excellent at written and verbal communication
• Motivated to find creative solutions to environmental challenges
• Excited to work outdoors in all seasons
• Applications must include a cover letter and resume

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources or equivalent
• At least one relevant professional credential such as Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Arborist (CA), Licensed Tree Expert (LTE), Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP), Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB), Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP), Professional Engineer (PE), or similar
• Restoration design experience - wetlands, living shorelines, streams, forests
• CADD experience (Microstation or AutoCAD)
• Experience conducting environmental fieldwork and permitting within Maryland, Delaware, DC, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
• Develop proposals including scopes of work, fees, and preparation for client interviews

Work Environment

Mix of office, field, and remote work depending on project needs. Fieldwork may include walking long distances, in uneven terrain through natural environments including forests and wetlands, and exposure to hot, humid, cold, and wet weather conditions.

What We Offer

RK&K offers excellent career advancement opportunities and professional growth. We also offer attractive compensation packages commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Hybrid work (home and office)
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement (after one year of employment)
• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurances
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness programs and employee resource groups
• Career development
• Matching 401(k) plan
• Paid holidays
• Much, much more!

Why RK&K?

As a full-service engineering, construction management and environmental firm, RK&K provides the opportunity to work on projects in the communities where we live and work. With over 100 years of service, RK&K fosters a culture of collaboration, trust, and professional development. To its clients, the firm delivers concepts, processes, and outcomes that are designed for success, and we continually seek to maintain our reputation as a trusted partner, responsive employer, and community steward.

Pay Range: $40.00 - $48.00/hr