Wetland Environmental Scientist - Entry to Mid-Level

Tetra Tech, Inc.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Merit-based rewards

Work-life balance

Career development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a junior-level Wetland Environmental Scientist to join the OGA team in Pittsburgh, PA. This is not a remote role but includes travel to project sites in PA, OH, and WV.

You will assist with wetland delineation, ecological surveys, and permit support, contributing to high-quality environmental consulting for transportation, energy, and natural resources projects. A bachelor's degree and relevant field experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural or Environmental Science or closely related field.
• 2+ years of wetland/botanical/ecology experience on relevant projects across transportation, water, energy, mining or natural resources.
• Direct experience with wetland delineations, botanical surveys, or wildlife assessments.
• Willingness to travel up to 25–50% for fieldwork (PA/OH/WV).
• Experience writing technical reports and organizing data.
• Proficiency with PC computers and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work in a team and manage time-critical tasks.
• Strong organizational skills and deadline discipline.
• Ability to search for data, analyze information, and draw conclusions.
• Pre-employment drug screening required and valid driver's license with clean record.
• Preferred: GIS/database/statistical experience; wetland delineation certification; Phase I ESAs experience; data interpretation.
• Preferred: understanding of natural resource permitting processes; wetland/wildlife ecology knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist in wetland identification, delineation, and functional assessments per USACE guidance; prepare data sheets and reports.
• Conduct surface water quality/biological assessments (chemistry, macroinvertebrates, habitat).
• Assist with wildlife and habitat assessments.
• Travel 25–30% for fieldwork, primarily in PA, OH, WV; some further travel may be required.
• Work with internal procedures and industry standards; pursue ongoing professional development.
• Maintain safety practices and report health and safety incidents.
• Perform additional duties as required by project needs.

Skills

Wetland delineation

Botanical surveys

Wildlife assessments

Travel flexibility

Technical reports

Data organization

Teamwork

Time management

Analytical skills

Driver's license

Drug screening

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS

Job description

The Opportunity:

Tetra Tech is adding a Wetland Environmental Scientist to our OGA team reporting to our office daily in Pittsburgh, PA. Please note, this is not a remote employment opportunity.

Why Tetra Tech:

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world's most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Your Impact:

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential - join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

Position Summary:

Candidate will be required to serve as a junior-level environmental scientist for projects with a wetland, ecological services, and wildlife component (e.g., wetland delineation and functional assessments; Section 401/404 permit support; wetland/stream mitigation design and monitoring, wildlife surveys, botanical surveys, and habitat assessments). These studies are typically provided to aid in the acquisition of necessary permitting or may serve as evidence for compliance requirements. The Wetlands and Ecological Services Group work with other departments within the company to provide quality environmental consulting services to our clients to fulfill their project needs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist in performing wetland identification, delineation, and functional assessment investigations in accordance with the USACE 1987 Manual and Regional Supplements. Prepare all associated data sheets and wetland reports.
• Conduct surface water quality/biological assessments (chemistry, macroinvertebrates, and habitat).
• Assist with wildlife and habitat assessments.
• Conduct fieldwork activities with out-of-town travel typically required 25-30% of the time. The fieldwork will primarily be in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, but some further travel may be required.
• Conduct activities in line with internal procedures, legislation, and industry standards.
• Pursue continuous professional development and maintain a high degree of discipline, knowledge and awareness.
• Work in a safe manner at all times and report all health and safety incidents and concerns.
• Additional duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Natural or Environmental Science, or a closely related field is required.
• 2+ years of wetland, botanical, and/or ecology experience with projects related to one or more of the following industries: transportation, water, energy, mining, reclamation, and natural resources.
• Candidates must have direct work experience conducting wetland delineations, botanical surveys, and/or wildlife assessments to be considered for this position.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed out of town, up to approximately 25-50% of time. The fieldwork will primarily be in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, but some further travel may be required.
• Prior experience writing technical reports and handling and organizing data is required.
• Knowledge of PC-compatible computers and Microsoft Windows/Office software applications is required.
• Ability to work in team situations.
• Ample organizational skills.
• Ability to manage time-critical situations.
• Ability to fulfill deadline requirements.
• Ability to search for pertinent facts and data.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information.
• Ability to form accurate conclusions based on facts, information, and data.
• A Pre-employment drug screening in compliance with state regulations is required.
• You must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record without restrictions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience applying for State and/or Federal permits is preferred.
• GIS/database/statistical experience in the environmental field is preferred.
• Wetland delineation certification is preferred.
• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments experience is preferred.
• Data collection analysis and interpretation experience is preferred.
• A basic understanding of the natural resource permitting processes for the above-mentioned industries is preferred.
• An understanding of wetland/wildlife ecology is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Performing strenuous fieldwork under a variety of site and weather conditions.
• Standing, crouching and sitting to facilitate collecting site information.
• Negotiating difficult terrain for extended periods of time performing field surveys.
• Lifting and/or carrying field equipment and other items weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Potential exposure to natural hazards (e.g., poison ivy, wet terrain, heat).

Work Environment / Environmental Factors:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts or machinery. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee will be required to travel to project sites via air or land.
• The employee may be required to conduct site visits and field activities at places and times where exposure to outdoor weather conditions is part of the working environment.

Additional Information

• Full-time (40hr) position; (M-F; some weekend work is necessary from time to time)
• Work location is Pittsburgh, PA - this is not a remote employment opportunity
• Travel required for overnight and out-of-town work is intermittently necessary.

Life at Tetra Tech:

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
• Merit-based financial rewards.
• Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.

About Tetra Tech:

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.

Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:

LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers

X (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs

Additional Information

• Organization: 212 OGA