Wetland & Environmental Scientist II

RETTEW; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Hybrid work

Professional development

Multidisciplinary exposure

Career growth

Job summary

RETTEW is seeking an experienced Wetland & Environmental Scientist II to lead wetland delineations across PA, OH, and WV. You will conduct field delineations, apply manuals, and prepare defensible reports in collaboration with Project Managers and engineers.

This field-intensive role requires travel regionally, strong technical writing, and the ability to work in rugged outdoor environments while expanding your natural-resources expertise within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or related natural-sciences discipline.
• Demonstrated experience independently conducting wetland delineations and serving as field lead.
• Experience applying the 1987 USACE Wetland Delineation Manual.
• Experience applying the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regional Supplement.
• Ability to identify vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.
• Experience establishing wetland determination data points.
• Experience flagging wetland boundaries.
• Experience identifying streams and other aquatic resources.
• Experience collecting environmental field data with GPS/GNSS or similar.
• Experience completing wetland delineation field forms and documenting field data.
• Ability to prepare wetland delineation reports and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct and lead wetland delineations in field settings.
• Apply USACE Manual and regional supplements to field determinations.
• Identify vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland indicators for documentation.
• Document wetland data points and field boundaries in the record.
• Prepare clear wetland delineation reports and supporting docs.
• Map wetland and aquatic-resource features for project exhibits.
• Coordinate field assignments and communicate needs to project teams.
• Collaborate with Engineers, Scientists, Surveyors and other disciplines.
• Maintain accurate project records and QA/QC of environmental docs.
• Support additional natural-resource investigations as needed.
• Assist with environmental permitting and regulatory coordination.

Skills

Wetland delineation

GPS/GNSS field data

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science

Tools

GIS

GPS/GNSS

Job description

Description

The Opportunity

RETTEW is seeking an experienced Wetland & Environmental Scientist II to join our Natural Sciences team and take an active field-lead role supporting wetland and aquatic-resource investigations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.

This opportunity is designed for an environmental professional who can independently conduct wetland delineations, make defensible field determinations, and lead wetland delineation fieldwork.

You’ll combine hands-on field science with technical documentation while working alongside environmental professionals, Project Managers, Engineers, and other technical specialists on multidisciplinary projects.

If you’ve developed strong wetland delineation expertise and are ready to take greater ownership of field assignments while expanding your natural-resources experience, this is an opportunity to do both.

What You’ll Do

As a Wetland & Environmental Scientist II, you will:

• Independently conduct and serve as field lead for wetland and stream delineations.
• Apply the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and applicable regional supplements to field determinations.
• Identify and document hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.
• Establish and document wetland determination data points.
• Identify and flag wetland boundaries in the field.
• Identify and characterize streams and other aquatic resources.
• Collect and document accurate environmental field data using GPS/GNSS and related field technology.
• Complete wetland determination forms, field notes, photographic documentation, and other required field records.
• Independently prepare clear, defensible wetland delineation reports and supporting technical documentation.
• Prepare or support wetland and aquatic-resource mapping and project exhibits.
• Coordinate field assignments and communicate project needs, findings, and potential issues to Project Managers and technical teams.
• Collaborate with Engineers, Environmental Scientists, Surveyors, and other disciplines supporting project delivery.
• Maintain accurate project records and support QA/QC of environmental documentation.
• Support additional natural-resource investigations based on project needs and experience.
• Assist with environmental permitting and regulatory coordination when applicable.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or a related natural-sciences discipline.
• Demonstrated professional experience independently conducting wetland delineations and serving as a wetland delineation field lead.
• Professional experience applying the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual.
• Professional experience applying the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regional Supplement.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and document vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.
• Experience establishing and documenting wetland determination data points.
• Experience identifying and flagging wetland boundaries.
• Experience identifying streams and other aquatic resources.
• Experience collecting environmental field data using GPS/GNSS or comparable field technology.
• Experience completing wetland delineation field forms and maintaining accurate field documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently prepare wetland delineation reports and technical documentation.
• Strong technical writing, communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work safely outdoors in rugged or uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally for field assignments, including periodic overnight travel.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet applicable requirements for project-related driving.

Additional Experience We Value

• Experience applying the Northcentral and Northeast Regional Supplement.
• Experience applying the Midwest Regional Supplement.
• Clean Water Act Section 404 and/or Section 401 permitting experience.
• Other wetland or aquatic-resource permitting experience.
• Experience coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or state environmental agencies.
• Threatened and endangered species field-survey experience.
• Experience with GIS or other environmental field-data and mapping technology.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary engineering, energy, transportation, land development, or infrastructure projects.

Build Your Natural Resources Expertise

At RETTEW, you’ll have the opportunity to build on your wetland expertise while expanding your exposure to other areas of natural-resources consulting.

You can:

• Take ownership of wetland delineation field assignments and serve as a trusted field resource.
• Work across varied landscapes and project environments in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
• Strengthen your technical expertise in wetland and aquatic-resource assessment.
• Gain additional exposure to environmental permitting and regulatory coordination.
• Work alongside experienced Natural Sciences professionals and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Expand into threatened and endangered species work and other natural-resource specialties based on project needs and interests.
• Take on increasing responsibility for technical deliverables, project coordination, QA/QC, and client interaction as your career develops.
• Build ownership in RETTEW through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Work Environment

Workplace Designation: Hybrid
Locations: Pittsburgh, PA; Morgantown, WV; or Akron-Canton, OH

This is a field-intensive environmental position that combines field assignments with office-based technical work and remote-work flexibility.

Field assignments may require walking significant distances over rugged, uneven, wet, or vegetated terrain; working outdoors in varying weather conditions; carrying field equipment; and traveling to project sites throughout the region.

Periodic overnight travel is an essential component of the position.

Safety & Compliance Requirements

This position is designated as safety-sensitive. The selected candidate must successfully complete applicable pre-employment screenings as a condition of employment.

The role includes field-based work and may involve operation of company-owned or personal vehicles for business purposes. Employees must comply with RETTEW safety policies, client-specific requirements, and applicable environmental and workplace-safety standards throughout employment.

About RETTEW

RETTEW is a 100% employee-owned engineering and consulting firm helping clients solve complex environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Our Natural Sciences professionals work alongside Engineers, Scientists, Surveyors, Project Managers, and other technical specialists to help clients understand environmental conditions, navigate regulatory requirements, and develop responsible solutions.

Our culture is grounded in our core values — Act Like an Owner, Value Relationships, and Exemplify Excellence — and gives employees the opportunity to contribute directly to the quality and success of our work while sharing in RETTEW’s long-term success through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

What We Offer

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — every eligible employee has the opportunity to share in RETTEW’s long-term success.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement savings options.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Hybrid work environment balanced with meaningful field experience.
• Professional development and opportunities to expand your technical expertise.
• Exposure to multidisciplinary projects, clients, and natural-resource challenges.
• Opportunities for continued technical, project, and career growth.

RETTEW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] to request assistance.

Requirements

Requirements listed above