Senior Ecologist

Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors, DPC; Short Hills (NJ); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring and professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Commuter benefits

Disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Tectonic is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our Newburgh, NY or Millburn, NJ offices on a full-time basis. The role focuses on ecological and wetlands experience, permitting, and regulatory compliance across projects in the Northeast.

The candidate will lead field studies, coordinate with clients and regulators, and supervise junior staff while contributing to project planning, budgets, and reports. Hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ecological studies or environmental science.
• Minimum 15 years of related experience.
• Certified Ecologist and/or PWS certifications required.
• Strong knowledge of NY/NJ permitting and regulatory frameworks (CWA, NEPA, wetlands statutes).
• Experience with field investigations, environmental inventories, and monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day environmental and ecological compliance services.
• Plan technical projects and coordinate with clients, regulators, and contractors.
• Manage schedules and budgets for assigned projects.
• Supervise and train junior staff; conduct field studies and inspections.
• Prepare and review reports; travel as needed.
• Support marketing and business development efforts.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Field surveys

Team supervision

Proposal writing

Client interaction

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Ecological Studies

Certified Ecologist

Professional Wetlands Scientist (PWS)

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PDF software

Job description

Position

Senior Ecologist

Location

Newburgh, NY or Millburn, NJ Office

Remote Status

Hybrid

Introduction

Tectonic is currently looking for an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our team full-time at our Newburgh, NY or Millburn, NJ Office.

Tectonic, a multi-disciplined engineering firm that supports the environmental market sector, is currently seeking a full-time, experienced Senior Ecologist with ecological and wetlands experience, permitting, and compliance experience to work on projects throughout the Northeast!

This is an excellent opportunity for tremendous career growth and development in the environmental industry!

Essential Functions

• The essential functions of this position include day to day direction and performance of various environmental and ecological compliance services;
• Technical project planning for complex projects, including interactions with clients, staff, regulators, and contractors, for all phases of the project;
• Establishing and monitoring schedules and budgets as they relate to assigned projects;
• Providing ongoing supervision and training of junior staff; conducting preliminary research, provide regulatory consultations, perform project specific field studies and environmental inspections, as well as the coordination of various investigations, delineations, and monitoring, as well as all other related services as required;
• Report preparation and review;
• Occasional travel required
• Assisting in marketing and business development planning and implementation; and related duties as required;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Ecological Studies, Environmental Science, or similar is required;
• Minimum of 15 years of related experience;
• Certified Ecologist and/or Professional Wetlands Scientist (PWS) certifications required;
• Must have strong knowledge of permitting, compliance, and regulations in New York and New Jersey;
• Must be proficient in Federal Clean Water Act, Section 404 & Section 10 of Rivers and Harbours Action, NYS Article 24 (Freshwater Wetlands), Tidal Wetlands (Article 25), T&E (Article 11) and NEPA;
• Experienced and willing to conduct site-specific field investigations, ecological and environmental inventories, environmental records review, RTE species surveying and monitoring, wildlife habitat assessments, mitigation and post-mitigation monitoring, permitting, freshwater and tidal wetlands investigations and delineations;
• Skilled in client interaction, team collaboration, and supervising junior staff;
• Relevant certifications, licenses, and OSHA safety training (or willingness to obtain) preferred;
• Ability to prepare proposals and scopes of work;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
• Functional computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, PDF programs, as well as the ability to utilize various software programs, time reporting systems, and other related computer applications;
• Ability to work independently or in a project team, either in-person or remotely;
• Ability to meet project schedules and budgets;
• Ability to manage and prioritize workload across multiple projects;
• Desire to work in a fast-paced changing environment;
• Requires a valid, acceptable driver's license and personal vehicle to travel to meetings and sites as needed.

Physical Requirements

While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is sometimes required to move around the job site and inspect, observe, move, operate, and/or transport documents, materials and/or field testing equipment relevant to the job and communicate about same. Such operable equipment includes, but is not limited to, peristaltic sampling pumps, photoionization detectors, battery packs, and augering instruments. The employee is also sometimes required to traverse the job-site while recording information and must frequently position themselves appropriately to gain access to necessary testing materials and equipment and to perform tests near wells and on the ground. The employee must sometimes lift and/or move up to 27 lbs. The employee is sometimes working in outdoor weather conditions, including exposure to extreme heat, extreme cold, biological hazards conditions and sometimes working in the office environment. The employee will also communicate with colleagues, supervisors and clients both orally and in writing through Corporate communication systems. The employee must also occasionally operate a computer and other related office machinery, such as printers, and fax machines. This position also requires the frequent operation of a motor‑vehicle, which sometimes may require remaining stationary for extended periods of time. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competitive Salary & Benefits Package

• Opportunities for mentoring, professional development, and career advancement
• Tuition reimbursement to advance education
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days
• Company-observed paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions and discretionary profit‑sharing
• Multiple medical plan options, including EPO, POS, and HDHP plans, offering flexibility to meet different healthcare needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) available with the HDHP option
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for medical expenses and dependent care
• Commuter benefits for public transportation costs
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Pay Range

Pay Range: $110,000 - $160,000 / year

Tectonic's goal is to compensate employees fairly and equitable across all positions Companywide. Our advertised pay ranges are representative of our good faith effort to provide a reasonable anticipated salary range. The offered pay may be outside of the provided salary range based upon the selected candidate's work location, experience, education, certifications, and capabilities compared to the advertised position.

Tectonic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Tectonic participates in USCIS E-Verify to verify employment authorization.