Wetland Delineator

GAI Consultants Inc.; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 68,000 - 84,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

An environmental consulting firm is seeking experienced Wetland Delineators to conduct field investigations and assessments related to wetland delineation and biological resources across the Southwestern US. Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience, solid knowledge of environmental regulations, and strong teamwork skills. The position offers a competitive salary range of $68,000 to $84,500, along with comprehensive benefits, including medical plans, paid time off, and 401(k) matching.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in wetland/water field studies.
• Knowledge of Clean Water Act regulations and assessment protocols.
• Ability to conduct field work in varying terrains and weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wetland/water jurisdictional surveys and assessments.
• Prepare technical reports based on collected field data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary environmental teams.

Skills

Wetland delineation

Field investigations

Data analysis

Communication

GPS usage

Field report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Field Maps

Survey123

Job description

Position Overview

GAI Consultants, Inc. is seeking experienced Wetland Delineators to support projects throughout the greater Southwest US region. Ideal candidates will be excited to conduct field work and have a proven track record of independently or as part of a team conducting field investigations related to wetland and watercourse delineation, stream assessments, general biological assessment, and vegetation mapping in a variety of Southwestern US terrestrial habitats, as well as experience with reviewing, managing, and analyzing field data and contributing to environmental reports on time and within budget.

The field work will support a variety of project types and stages, including siting/routing/due diligence studies, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, natural resources/waters impact avoidance and permitting, and construction support.

These positions are regular, full‑time positions with the opportunity for overtime supporting projects throughout the Southwestern US. This role will support both field and desktop‑based tasks, depending on business needs. The position is eligible for remote employment, but requires candidates to be located within the Southwestern US region.

Position Responsibilities

• Work independently or as part of a team to conduct wetland/water jurisdictional delineation surveys, vegetation mapping and general biological resources site assessments.
• Participate in pre‑field planning and post‑field data analysis, processing, and management in support of technical report preparation, under the direction of the project's Environmental Task Manager.
• Utilize desktop resources and other digital tools (e.g., topographic maps, aerial photographs, etc.), industry‑related GPS‑based field data platforms/software (Field Maps, Survey123, etc.) and other tools for the preparation and execution of field studies.
• Assist with the preparation of technical reports associated with the data collected in the field.
• Collect and maintain accurate field reports and data logs using digital forms and collaborative databases.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and provide additional support to the Environmental Team as needed.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret industry protocols, technical reports and procedures, and governmental regulations regarding regulated wetlands and waterbodies.
• Ability to work well as part of a field team (including subconsultants).
• Must be able to conduct field work in a safe and efficient way by utilizing good judgment in addition to following GAI and project‑specific health and safety protocols. Training will be provided for all project‑specific safety topics.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Applicants must be able to provide progressive professional experience conducting jurisdictional delineations of state and federal waters/wetlands in the Southwest.
• Minimum 5 years' experience routinely performing wetland/water field studies for private or public sector projects in the environmental consulting industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge regarding current Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 regulatory policy, as well as the currently accepted field assessment protocols and associated field instruments to determine jurisdiction of wetlands and waters.
• Familiarity with relevant Federal, State, and local regulations including but not limited to federal and state Endangered Species Acts (ESAs), NEPA, and Clean Water Act (CWA) permits.
• Strong knowledge of Southwest US flora and fauna, especially state and federally listed special‑status plant and animal species.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project site locations within the Southwest US region, including field work assignments requiring overnight stays.
• Ability and willingness to hike long distances (up to ~10‑12 miles/day) and conduct fieldwork in a variety of terrains (desert, grasslands, wetlands/riparian, etc.) over multiple days for long hours (up to 12 hours/day) in various weather conditions, while carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable with conducting field work on active construction sites in the presence of construction crews.
• This position requires punctuality, professionalism, and preparation to enter the field and successfully perform the required work independently or as part of a field team. Candidates must be able to follow instructions from project managers and field leads but also think critically through unplanned situations that arise while onsite, all while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a 4‑wheel drive vehicle in off‑road conditions; utility terrain vehicle (UTV) operation experience is a plus.
• Proficient with using GPS units and electronic data forms (cell or tablet) in the field to collect, organize, and manage data to support defensible and accurate technical reports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and interest in conducting focused surveys and habitat suitability assessments for common and special‑status plant and wildlife species in the Southwestern US is highly desirable.
• Experience with preparing and reviewing environmental reports using the data collected in the field.
• Experience with managing field teams.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) Certification is preferred but not required.

Compensation

• The salary ranges for these positions are $68,000 to $84,500 per year. The compensation offer will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and recognition.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Company‑paid life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources.
• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays.
• An additional floating holiday.
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.