Senior Environmental Scientist

HDR, Inc.; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist to lead wetlands and wildlife surveys, delineations, and habitat evaluations across Washington state, bringing rigorous field methods and clear documentation.

You will oversee federal and state permitting applications, develop critical areas and environmental reports, and collaborate with planners, engineers, GIS specialists, and clients to ensure regulatory compliance. Domestic travel will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environment Science or closely related field.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification is preferred.
• Experience with NEPA/SEPA processes and EIS documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead wetland and stream delineations, wildlife surveys, and habitat evaluations.
• Oversee preparation of federal/state/local permitting applications (e.g., Clean Water Act 404/401).
• Develop critical areas reports, wetland delineation reports, and mitigation plans.
• Contribute as author/strategic advisor on NEPA/SEPA documents and BAs.
• Provide QA/QC on technical documents and coordinate with staff and clients.

Skills

Wetland assessment

Field surveys

Technical writing

GPS & GIS

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science

Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)

Tools

GPS units

GIS software

MS Office

Webmaps

Job description

At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

At HDR, our employee‑ownership model shapes everything we do, including how we support and care for our people. Our diverse service lines, including Water, Architecture, Building Engineering Services, Field Services, Power, Waste, Industrial, and Transportation reflect our commitment to shaping resilient, sustainable, and forward‑thinking communities around the world. Across these disciplines, our teams design and deliver solutions that safeguard public health, enhance quality of life, power innovation, and drive responsible growth. Whether advancing clean water, creating healing and learning environments, engineering next‑generation facilities, or building the infrastructure that moves people and energy, our work is rooted in technical excellence and a shared sense of purpose. Our employee‑owners collaborate across specialties, combining creativity, precision, and deep expertise to solve the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

In the role of Senior Environmental Scientist, we'll count on you to:

• Lead and direct wetland and stream delineations, functional assessments, wildlife surveys, and habitat evaluations while managing task level scope, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee preparation of natural resources permitting applications at federal, state and local level (e.g., Clean Water Act permitting Section 404/401 and WA State/local natural resources permitting)
• Lead development of critical areas reports, wetland and water delineation reports, mitigation and monitoring plans and documents to address project impacts
• Contribute as an author and/or strategic advisor on natural resource documents such as NEPA/SEPA documents, and biological evaluations/assessments (BAs).
• Provide quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) review of technical documents from disciplines noted above.
• Support project managers and other technical staff with client-agency communications.
• Develop proposals for biological-related tasks (preparing scopes, schedules, and budgets).
• Effectively collaborate with junior and mid-level environmental staff, planners, project engineers, GIS specialists, and clients to achieve regulatory compliance on a variety of projects.
• Perform other related duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Field experience with wetland and wildlife species and habitats in Washington State.
• Applied knowledge of ecological assessment, environmental impact analysis, environmental due diligence studies, natural/biological resources management and
• Strong organization skills and ability to work in a fast‑paced work environment with changing deadlines and priorities.
• Demonstrable technical writing/editing ability, commitment to quality in both work processes and products and willingness to assume new roles are critical.
• A demonstrated commitment to safety and quality, and an attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture are essential.
• Candidates will need to travel for specific project assignments.
• Field data collection expertise in wildlife species, habitat, and wetlands and streams using GPS units
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)
• Experience with GPS units, GIS software and webmaps, to support data collection, mapping, and reporting. .
• Local candidates preferred
• Valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to travel locally on a regular basis to conduct field work.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environment Science or closely related field
• 10 years experience in complex environmental planning/compliance projects
• Demonstrated knowledge of the NEPA process
• Experience managing large, complex EIS documents for transportation, large facility, land management, or other infrastructure projects
• Technical expertise in the design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of data for environmental studies and investigations in specialized discipline
• Proficient with MS Office
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Staff management experience beneficial
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment: As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United States-Washington-Seattle

Other Locations

United States-Washington-Everett, United States-Washington-Olympia, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Washington-Gig Harbor

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 26, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.