Senior Environmental Scientist

United Grid Solutions; Fort Mill (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pike Engineering is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist to support utility projects by conducting field ecological assessments, delineating streams and wetlands, and inventories of plants and animals.

The role requires advanced knowledge of ecological systems, regulatory permitting, GIS analysis for siting of transmission lines and substations, and mentoring junior staff. The incumbent will work independently and coordinate with agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences or equivalent experience.
• 7–9 years in Natural Resources/Ecological Consulting.
• Advanced knowledge of ecological systems and regulatory permitting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field environmental assessments in utility corridors and sites.
• Prepare environmental reports documenting natural resource findings.
• Support NEPA/SEPA and other permitting applications with agencies.
• Assist in siting through environmental and GIS analyses.
• Develop budgets for environmental activities and monitor costs.
• Mentor junior staff scientists and provide leadership.

Skills

Field assessments

Mentor junior staff

GIS analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences

CPSS

CWB

ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Training

Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS Equipment

MS Office

Job description

SUMMARY:

The Senior Environmental Scientist will support utility projects by conducting environmental assessments, including stream/wetlands delineation, plant and animal inventories, habitat assessments, environmental protection and mitigation planning, and environmental permitting. Incumbents are expected to have advanced knowledge of ecological systems, environmental regulatory conditions, have the ability to work independently, and mentor junior staff. In addition, the position will provide advanced support to the siting of electric transmission line and substation projects through the analysis of environmental, land use, cultural resource, and visual issues using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the most viable siting opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts field environmental assessments by traversing cleared and uncleared linear utility corridors and site-specific parcels to delineate, GPS, and map streams, wetlands, habitat, and identify plants and animal species.
• Prepares environmental and technical reports to document the findings of the natural resource assessments and supports environmental protection, mitigation planning, and permitting
• Provides regulatory and permitting application support; including but not limited to those associated with NEPA, SEPA, Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other state and local environmental review authorities. Coordinates with applicable review agencies
• Supports line and substation siting by applying environmental principles.
• Prepares, estimates, and budgets for specific environmental activities and monitors project costs
• Develop and guide junior staff scientists.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK:

Non-routine; general polices applied to frequently changing situations.

RELATIONSHIP OUTSIDE WORK GROUP:

Influences decisions of major nature. High degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain good will.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mentoring of junior staff scientist is expected

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE is required

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Required A Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or University in Natural Sciences (e.g. biology, environmental sciences, ecology, forestry, soil science) or equivalent experience.

Experience 7-9 Year(s) Experience in Natural Resources and Ecological Consulting.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Preferred certifications, licenses, and/or registrations may include but not necessarily limited to:

• Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS)
• Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB)
• ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Training
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING:

On-the-job training for administrative responsibilities and executing the transmission line and substation siting process will be provided. Incumbents will be expected to perform at a high level completing natural resources assessments, permitting, and other environmental review responsibilities with limited training and oversight.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

A.Ability to read and interpret documents such as procedure manuals, operational procedures, etc.

B.Ability to write reports, Business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

C.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

A.Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

B.Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume and distance.

C.Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret spread sheets.

REASONING ABILITY:

A.Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

B.Ability to define problems collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities
• Continuous improvement of job-related, technical, and professional knowledge, skills, and performance
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Self-Motivated
• Work independently
• Team-Oriented
• Customer Oriented
• Able to manage multiple tasks and provide leadership to other team members.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

A. How much on the job time is spent in the following physical activities? Stand 2/3 and more (Regularly) Walk 2/3 and more (Regularly) Sit 1/3 to 2/3 (Frequently) Talk or Hear 2/3 and more (Regularly) Use Hands to Feel, Handle or finger tools or controls 2/3 and more (Regularly) Climb or balance Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Stoop, Kneel, Crouch or crawl Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Reach with Hands and Arms Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Taste or Smell Up to 1/3 (Occasionally)

B. Does this job require that weight be lifted or force to be exerted? If so, how much and how often? Up to 10 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 25 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 50 Pounds Up to 1/3 Up to 100 Pounds Up to 1/3

C. Does this job have any special vision requirements? Close Vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less) Distance Vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more) Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors) Peripheral visions (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point) Depth Perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships) Ability to Adjust Focus (ability to adjust the eyes to bring an object into sharp focus)

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Wet, humid conditions (non-weather) None Work near moving mechanical parts Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Work in high, precarious places None Fumes or airborne particles None Toxic or caustic chemicals None Outdoor weather conditions 2/3 and more (Regularly) Extreme cold (non-weather) None Extreme Heat (non-weather) None Risk of electrical shock Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) Work with explosives None Risk of radiation None Vibration Up to 1/3 (Occasionally) While performing this job, the noise level in the work environment is: Moderate Noise (Examples: business office with typewriters, and or computer printer, light traffic

NOTE:

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Pike Engineering is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled Pike Engineering is a Non-Union Company