Senior Ecologist/Project Manager - Mitigation Banking

LVI Associates; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LVI Associates, a national leader in wetland and stream restoration, is seeking a Senior Ecologist/Project Manager for its Southeast group. The role is on-site in the Atlanta metro area with regular travel across the region to support mitigation bank projects and restoration efforts.

The position requires extensive ecological and project-management experience, including budgeting, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory engagement.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in mitigation banking, stream and wetland restoration, or related work.
• 5+ years managing projects and budgets independently.
• Hands-on experience with stream and wetland assessment methods (SQT, HGM).
• Ability to translate technical detail for regulators, clients, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel within the Southeast region and work on-site in Atlanta.

Responsibilities

• Assess prospective bank sites for technical and ecological feasibility.
• Lead project teams and manage consultant/subcontractor scopes.
• Build and track schedules, budgets, and deliverable timelines.
• Draft mitigation banking instruments, credit release requests, and compliance documentation.
• Scope and direct baseline studies, field surveys, and data collection.
• Work with design engineers on restoration and grading plans.
• Negotiate approvals with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Interagency Review Teams.
• Oversee construction, planting, and post-construction monitoring.
• Interpret monitoring results and drive adaptive management decisions.
• Coordinate with stewardship staff on long-term site compliance.
• Contribute to growth through client relationships, industry networking, and conference presentations.
• Coach and develop earlier-career scientists.

Skills

Project management

Ecology knowledge

Stakeholder communication

Field survey experience

Team leadership

Education

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

Advanced degree in environmental discipline

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

SQT methods

HGM methods

Job description

A national leader in wetland and stream restoration is adding a Senior Ecologist/Project Manager to its Southeast group. The business builds and manages mitigation banks that offset development impacts and restore aquatic and habitat resources, working in partnership with private landowners, industry, agencies, and conservation groups. Based on-site in the Atlanta metro area, with regular travel across the region.

The work

• Assess prospective bank sites for technical and ecological feasibility
• Run project teams and manage consultant and subcontractor scopes
• Build and track schedules, budgets, and deliverable timelines
• Draft mitigation banking instruments, credit release requests, monitoring reports, and compliance documentation
• Scope and direct baseline studies, field surveys, and data collection
• Work alongside design engineers on restoration and grading plans
• Negotiate approvals with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Interagency Review Teams
• Oversee construction, planting, and post-construction monitoring
• Interpret monitoring results and drive adaptive management decisions
• Coordinate with stewardship staff on long-term site compliance
• Contribute to growth through client relationships, industry networking, and conference presentations
• Coach and develop earlier-career scientists

Background they're after

• Degree in Ecology, Biology, Natural Resources, Hydrology, Environmental Science, or similar
• 8+ years in mitigation banking, stream and wetland restoration, or closely related work
• Hands-on experience with stream and wetland assessment methods such as SQT and HGM
• Familiarity with protected species surveys, habitat restoration, and aquatic resource permitting
• 5+ years managing projects and budgets independently
• Comfortable translating technical detail for regulators, clients, and non-technical stakeholders
• Able to work outdoors in variable field conditions and travel to sites as needed

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in an environmental discipline
• Mitigation bank approvals secured within the Savannah District
• ArcGIS Pro proficiency
• Experience mentoring staff or leading a project team

Why it's worth a look

• Large-scale restoration projects with visible, lasting ecological outcomes
• Genuine ownership of projects rather than a narrow slice of the process
• A team of experienced scientists, engineers, and land managers to work alongside
• Room to expand into leadership and business development