Senior Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist

ERM; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

AD&D insurance

401(k)

Job summary

ERM seeks a Senior Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist to lead field investigations and support permitting and compliance for infrastructure, renewable energy, and oil and gas sectors. The role emphasizes wetland delineations, species assessments, and environmental documentation across projects nationwide.

You will work with ERM’s teams to deliver quality analyses, manage field assignments (50–60% of time), and communicate complex findings to clients and regulators.

Qualifications

• BS in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or related discipline; or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years (5 years preferred) of relevant environmental experience or internships.
• Must be willing to support field assignments 50–60% of the time.
• Must be willing to work outdoors in varied climates.
• Knowledge of plant ID, soil sampling, hydric soil indicators.
• Experience performing wetland delineations per USACE manuals.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Experience recording technical data and preparing tables/spreadsheets.
• Ability to engage with multidisciplinary teams and travel as needed.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong consultant traits: team player, proactive, versatile, service-oriented.
• High organization and attention to detail with big-picture thinking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Perform wetland delineations using USACE methods and regional supplements.
• Provide analyses and technical support within your field of specialization.
• Prepare environmental assessments and environmental impact statements under NEPA.
• Produce field surveys, collect data, and write reports.
• Develop strategies and recommendations for clients.
• Assist in compliance plans with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Support ERM Partners-in-Charge and Project Managers to deliver client value.

Skills

Wetland delineations

Protected species assessments

Environmental documentation

Field investigations

Regulatory compliance

Project coordination

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Team collaboration

Education

BS in environmental science or related

Tools

USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual

Job description

Shape Sustainable Development Through Science, Strategy, and Field Leadership

At ERM, your expertise can help drive projects that balance environmental stewardship with responsible development. We are seeking an experienced Senior Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist to join our growing Environmental Impact Assessment team in Richmond, Virginia. In this role, you will lead critical field investigations, support complex permitting and compliance initiatives, and provide technical expertise that informs major infrastructure, renewable energy, power, technology, and oil and gas projects. This is an exciting opportunity for an environmental professional who thrives in the field, enjoys solving complex environmental challenges, and wants to make a meaningful impact while building a long-term career with a global sustainability leader.

Why This Role Matters?

As a Senior Consultant, you will play a key role in helping clients navigate environmental permitting, impact assessment, and regulatory compliance requirements for projects that shape communities and industries. Your expertise in wetland delineations, protected species assessments, environmental documentation, and field investigations will help clients advance projects responsibly while protecting ecological resources.

Working alongside ERM's nationwide network of technical experts, Project Managers, and Partners, you will contribute to projects across multiple sectors and gain exposure to diverse environmental challenges. This position offers significant opportunities for professional growth, technical specialization, and advancement into project management or leadership pathways.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead field-based wetland delineations and protected species assessments that support responsible project development.
• Provide environmental permitting and compliance support for infrastructure, renewable energy, power, oil and gas, technology, and land development projects.
• Deliver technical analyses and environmental documentation that inform project decisions and regulatory approvals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to identify practical, science-based solutions for clients.
• Help clients manage environmental risks while supporting sustainable development goals.
• Contribute to high-quality project delivery while building trusted client relationships and delivering exceptional value.

What You'll Bring

• BS in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or related discipline. Or equivalent experience.
• 2-4 years (5 years preferred) of relevant environmental experience or professional internships.
• Strong commitment to safety.
• Willingness and desire to support field assignments 50% to 60% of the time.
• Must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of climate and weather conditions.
• Working knowledge of field techniques for plant identification, soil sampling and hydric soil identification, and hydrology indicators.
• Experience performing wetland delineations using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements.
• Detail-oriented with excellent critical thinking and troubleshooting/problem-solving skills.
• Effective written/verbal communication and organization/analytical skills.
• Experience recording/writing detailed technical data and reports and building tables and spreadsheets (including tabulation and manipulation of data).
• Ability to engage in multifaceted and dynamic situations and collaborate with a team of experts throughout the lifecycle of a project.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated attributes to become a strong consultant: team player, eagerness to learn and grow, self-starter who takes initiative, versatile, and service-oriented mentality.
• Highly organized with a keen eye for detail while maintaining the big-picture perspective.
• High level proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Experience supporting environmental permitting and compliance activities involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and state or local regulatory agencies.
• Experience contributing to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Experience supporting renewable energy, transmission, pipeline, facility siting, land development, or other capital infrastructure projects.
• Experience with environmental due diligence services, habitat assessments, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, permit matrices, and environmental risk assessments.
• Wetland Delineation Training.
• Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform wetland delineations using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements.
• With appropriate guidance and supervision, provide creative and fit-for-purpose technical analyses in your own field of specialization and support additional analyses outside of your area of specialization while collaborating with subject matter experts from other disciplines.
• Provide technical assistance on a wide range of capital infrastructure and other projects, including preparation of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act, environmental due diligence services, habitat assessments, wetland delineations and reports, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, and other related environmental documents.
• Perform project delivery activities such as conducting field surveys, collecting and organizing field survey data, performing research and literature reviews, writing reports, and developing strategies and recommendations for clients.
• Conduct tasks related to environmental assessments, including but not limited to land use planning/facility siting, pipeline and transmission line routing studies, renewable energy desktop and field-based environmental assessments and reporting, and development of permit matrices and risk assessments.
• Assist in the preparation of project-specific compliance management plans in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Perform multi-media permitting and compliance documentation with an emphasis on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and various state and local agencies.
• Work within quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations while developing a basic understanding of project management responsibilities.
• Support ERM Partners-in-Charge and Project Managers to deliver exceptional client value on projects.

For the Senior Consultant, Environmental Biologist/Ecologist/Scientist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $80,100 – $102,400 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!