Staff Scientist

Actalent; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Staff ScientistJob Description

The Staff Scientist will support environmental and ecological projects by conducting field surveys, environmental assessments, and regulatory permitting activities throughout the southeastern United States. This role focuses on wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species assessments, NEPA evaluations, and environmental site investigations, while also preparing technical reports and permit applications. The position combines hands-on field work, project management, staff mentoring, and business development, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to meaningful environmental solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ecological and natural resource field surveys, including wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species assessments and surveys, tree inventories, and other ecological studies as needed.
• Perform NEPA evaluations and environmental site investigations, assessments, and surveys to sample, measure, and analyze environmental factors such as air, water, materials, and soil.
• Identify and evaluate ecological risk factors and recommend risk management strategies and designs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Prepare and manage United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404/10 permit applications and related regulatory documentation.
• Develop and write technical documents, including proposals, environmental reports, risk assessments, and correspondence with regulatory agencies.
• Manage small, medium, and large-scale ecological projects from planning through completion, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule expectations are met.
• Lead field teams and act as the lead scientist in conducting wetland delineations consistent with federal and state delineation methodologies.
• Train and mentor less experienced staff members in field methods, data collection, and technical reporting.
• Collaborate with internal teams and clients to define project scopes, schedules, and deliverables.
• Participate in business development activities, including supporting proposals and helping to identify and pursue new project opportunities.
• Maintain accurate field notes, data records, and documentation to support scientific findings and regulatory submissions.
• Travel to project sites, including some overnight travel, and adapt to varying schedules based on project needs.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related science field, or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years of related experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of related professional experience in ecological or environmental science roles.
• Expert knowledge of southeastern ecosystems, flora, and fauna.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing USACE Section 404/10 permit applications.
• Verifiable experience acting as lead scientist conducting wetland delineations consistent with federal and state delineation methodologies.
• Experience with NEPA processes, environmental reporting, and ecological assessments.
• Experience with soil sampling and analysis in support of environmental investigations.
• Ability to work in various climates and terrain for extended periods of time.
• Strong technical writing skills for proposals, reports, risk assessments, and regulatory correspondence.
• Ability to manage multiple projects of varying size and complexity simultaneously.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable violation history.
• Ability to travel, including some overnight trips, and flexibility in work schedule as required by project demands.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Wetland Scientist certification is preferred.
• ISA Certified Arborist credential is preferred.
• GIS experience is preferred and beneficial for mapping and spatial analysis.
• Completion of the 40-hour wetland delineators course is preferred.
• Experience with ecology-focused field methods, including threatened and endangered species surveys and tree inventories.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local environmental regulations relevant to wetlands, endangered species, and natural resources.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate clearly with clients and regulators.
• Self-motivated approach with a commitment to high-quality scientific work and regulatory compliance.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office environment with up to approximately 25% field travel to project sites. The typical office schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on office days, with occasional flexibility in hours to meet project needs. Field work involves working outdoors in various climates and terrain for extended periods, including wetlands, forested areas, and other natural environments. The position offers the option to work remotely on occasion, as approved by leadership. The ideal candidate will be located in Central Alabama, with the possibility of working out of a Jackson, MS office for the right individual. The organization supports employees with retirement benefits, including participation in an employee ownership program and a 401(k) match, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture focused on environmental stewardship and professional development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Birmingham, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $33.65/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Birmingham,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20, 000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.