Senior Wetland Scientist

Pinyon Environmental; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401k matching

Paid time off

Bonus programs

Job summary

Pinyon Environmental’s Bozeman, MT office is seeking a Senior Wetland Scientist to lead wetland, stream, and natural resource projects across Montana and the Rocky Mountain West. This role combines fieldwork, permitting, restoration, and project management.

You will mentor junior staff, develop scopes and proposals, and coordinate regulatory approvals while working in remote locations and challenging terrain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional wetland science experience with fieldwork in the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain West.
• Experience with wetland delineations, functional assessments, mitigation monitoring, and restoration projects.
• Project management experience with budgets, scheduling, and team leadership.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental permitting requirements (CWA Sections 401/404).
• Proficiency with GIS, GPS, and field data collection methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to convey findings to diverse audiences.
• PWS certification preferred; MWAM and USACE protocols a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage wetland, stream, and natural resource projects from scope to delivery.
• Develop scopes of work, fee estimates, and proposals for assessments and permitting.
• Lead delineations, assessments, monitoring, and vegetation surveys.
• Oversee restoration design, planting plans, and post-construction monitoring.
• Coordinate permitting with state and federal agencies.
• Work with clients and landowners to meet project goals and regulatory requirements.
• Review data and prepare technical reports, maps, and memorandums.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff and coordinate field activities.
• Conduct fieldwork across Montana, Wyoming, and nearby regions.

Skills

Project management

Technical writing

Communication

Analytical skills

GIS

GPS

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or related field

Tools

GIS

GPS

Job description

Pinyon is different……and we want unique individuals to come learn, grow, and thrive within our employee-owned company, proudly serving our communities for over 30 years. Pinyon is a purpose-driven firm that does work which matters in the communities we live in. Our employee-owners are encouraged to drive their career paths toward their career goals, and we want you to be the next person to experience our welcoming culture where work is rewarding.

Let us prove it! If you're excited about this opportunity to contribute to a workplace that values diversity and fosters inclusivity, please apply, even if you think you do not fully meet the qualifications. Pinyon is a company of opportunity

About this Position

Pinyon Environmental’s Bozeman, MT office is seeking a Senior Wetland Scientist to lead wetland, stream, and natural resource projects throughout Montana and the Rocky Mountain West. This role combines technical fieldwork, environmental permitting, restoration, and project management.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage wetland, stream, and natural resource projects, including scope, budgets, schedules, staffing, and technical quality.
• Independently develop scopes of work, fee estimates, and proposals for assessment, mitigation, monitoring, restoration, and permitting projects.
• Lead wetland delineations, functional assessments, mitigation site monitoring, stream evaluations, vegetation surveys, habitat mapping, special-status plant surveys, noxious weed mapping, and wildlife surveys, including raptor nest surveys.
• Lead wetland and stream restoration work, including restoration design, planting plans, habitat enhancements, construction oversight, and post‑construction monitoring.
• Coordinate permitting and regulatory approvals, including Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, Montana Conservation District 310 permits, Montana DEQ Section 318 turbidity authorizations and Section 401 water quality certifications, and applicable local development permits.
• Work with clients, private landowners, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to meet project goals and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze field data and prepare and review technical reports, maps, memorandums, and other project deliverables for accuracy and quality.
• Oversee and mentor junior and mid‑level wetland scientists and field technicians, including coordinating field activities, reviewing work, and providing technical guidance.
• Conduct independent fieldwork throughout Montana, Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain West, and northern Great Plains, including remote locations and extended periods outdoors in challenging terrain and weather.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities [limit to 7-10 bullets]

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional wetland science experience, including fieldwork with Rocky Mountain and Intermountain West wetland vegetation and ecosystems.
• Experience with wetland delineations, functional assessments, mitigation monitoring, and wetland or stream restoration projects.
• Project management experience, including budget oversight, scheduling, resource coordination, and technical leadership.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental permitting requirements, including Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act and applicable Montana regulations.
• Proficiency with GIS applications, GPS equipment, and field data collection methods.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and analytical skills, including the ability to explain findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification preferred. Training or experience with the Montana Wetland Assessment Method (MWAM) and applicable U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation protocols is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Employment is contingent upon passing a background check.

Summary of Benefits

Pinyon offers a comprehensive range of benefits including accrued vacation, sick, and paid holidays; 100% employer paid premiums for health insurance through United Health, 100% employer paid premiums for base dental and vison insurances through MetLife; long term disability; life insurance; ESOP and employer matching 401k. Pinyon also offers several bonus programs including an overtime bonus program, incentive bonus program, and a spot bonus program.

EEO Statement

Pinyon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

About Pinyon

Pinyon was established in 1993 by Lauren Evans, PE, and she has grown Pinyon from a one‑woman outfit based out of her garage, to a thriving and growing environmental consulting firm. The firm now employs over 80 environmental professionals and support personnel and has expanded from its headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado (near Denver) to include a branch office Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as a satellite offices in Phoenix, Arizona and Bozeman, Montana. Pinyon is a client‑centric environmental consulting firm that works towards collaborative solutions to advance our clients’ needs while protecting environmental health and safety. Pinyon supports private and public sector projects for commercial and industrial, energy, public works, federal, and transportation clients. Given the depth and breadth of our technical team, we are the go‑to firm for permitting and compliance on the local level and looking to expand our NEPA qualifications across multiple market sectors. Pinyon is committed to continue to expand our portfolio of projects both in our current geographies and elsewhere in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer – veterans, disability

Pinyon offers a comprehensive range of benefits including accrued vacation, sick, and paid holidays; 100% employer paid premiums for health insurance through United Health, 100% employer paid premiums for base dental and vison insurances through MetLife; long term disability; life insurance; ESOP and employer matching 401k. Pinyon also offers several bonus programs including an overtime bonus program, incentive bonus program, and a spot bonus program.