Senior Ecologist Project Manager

LVI Associates; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Profit sharing

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Professional development support

Job summary

LVI Associates in Nashville, Tennessee seeks a Senior Ecologist Project Manager to provide technical leadership and oversee ecological and environmental consulting projects across the region.

The role combines ecological expertise, regulatory experience, project delivery, client management, and staff development to support infrastructure, transportation, energy, water resources, and environmental restoration initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resources, or a related discipline; 6+ years of environmental consulting experience.
• Experience leading ecological assessments, environmental permitting, and natural resource investigations including wetlands, streams, habitat evaluations, and surveys for threatened and endangered species.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations and permitting processes, including Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and coordination with agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological assessments, wetland delineations, stream evaluations, habitat assessments, and natural resource investigations.
• Manage environmental and ecological projects from proposal development through project completion.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams supporting infrastructure, transportation, energy, and water resource projects.
• Prepare, review, and oversee technical reports, environmental documentation, and regulatory permit applications.
• Provide expertise related to Clean Water Act permitting, Endangered Species Act compliance, NEPA documentation, and environmental regulations.
• Serve as primary contact with regulatory agencies (USACE, USFWS, state, local authorities).
• Develop permitting strategies and environmental compliance solutions that support project objectives.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and deliverables with quality assurance.
• Advise clients on permitting pathways, mitigation strategies, and environmental risks.
• Support business development through proposals, client meetings, and relationship management.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical oversight.

Skills

Project leadership

Regulatory coordination

Client management

Wetlands

Environmental permitting

Report writing

Fieldwork

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or related

Tools

Job description

Join a growing engineering and environmental consulting organization delivering innovative solutions for infrastructure, transportation, energy, water resources, and environmental restoration projects across the United States. This multidisciplinary team supports federal, state, local government, and private-sector clients through ecological expertise, environmental compliance services, and technical consulting.

This opportunity offers the chance to play a key leadership role within a growing environmental practice, supporting projects that balance responsible development with environmental stewardship and natural resource protection.

Location

Nashville, Tennessee

Job Title

Senior Ecologist Project Manager

Company Overview

Join a growing engineering and environmental consulting organization delivering innovative solutions for infrastructure, transportation, energy, water resources, and environmental restoration projects across the United States. This multidisciplinary team supports federal, state, local government, and private-sector clients through ecological expertise, environmental compliance services, and technical consulting.

This opportunity offers the chance to play a key leadership role within a growing environmental practice, supporting projects that balance responsible development with environmental stewardship and natural resource protection.

Position Overview

The Senior Ecologist Project Manager will provide technical leadership and project management support for ecological and environmental consulting projects throughout the region. This position combines ecological expertise, regulatory experience, project delivery, client management, and team development responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in wetlands, streams, habitat assessments, environmental permitting, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to successfully manage projects, mentor staff, and build lasting client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead ecological assessments, wetland delineations, stream evaluations, habitat assessments, and natural resource investigations
• Manage environmental and ecological projects from proposal development through project completion
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams supporting infrastructure, transportation, energy, and water resource projects
• Prepare, review, and oversee technical reports, environmental documentation, and regulatory permit applications
• Provide expertise related to Clean Water Act permitting, Endangered Species Act compliance, NEPA documentation, and environmental regulations
• Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies, including USACE, USFWS, state agencies, and local authorities
• Develop permitting strategies and environmental compliance solutions that support project objectives
• Manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, and technical deliverables while ensuring quality outcomes
• Advise clients on permitting pathways, mitigation strategies, environmental risks, and compliance requirements
• Support business development through proposals, client meetings, and relationship management initiatives
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical oversight and quality assurance of work products
• Represent the organization through industry engagement, professional organizations, and client-facing activities

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resources, or a related discipline and 6+ years of experience in environmental consulting
• Demonstrated experience leading ecological assessments, environmental permitting efforts, and natural resource investigations, including wetlands, streams, habitat evaluations, and threatened and endangered species surveys
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations and permitting processes, including Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, environmental compliance documentation, and agency coordination
• Proven project management experience with responsibility for budgets, schedules, deliverables, and client communications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to perform fieldwork in varying conditions, and possession of a valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resources, or a related field
• Professional certifications such as Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional (QHP), or similar credentials
• Experience supporting transportation, energy, utility, water resources, federal, or other large-scale infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with stream restoration, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, and regional environmental regulations
• Established regulatory agency relationships and experience contributing to proposal development, client growth, and business development initiatives

What You'll Receive

• Opportunity to lead high-profile ecological and environmental projects while helping grow a thriving environmental practice
• A leadership-focused role combining technical expertise, project management, client engagement, and staff mentorship
• Competitive compensation of $90,000 - $140,000 base salary + performance bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, profit sharing, PTO, flexible work arrangements, and professional development support