Wetlands Biologist/Environmental Permitting Specialist

Jacobs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase plan

Deferred compensation

Executive Deferral Plan

Unlimited PPTO

Paid holidays

Bonus opportunities

Stock

Job summary

Jacobs in Minneapolis is seeking a Wetlands Biologist / Environmental Permitting Specialist to support transportation, municipal, utility, energy, and private development projects across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

The role requires wetland delineations, natural resource assessments, and environmental permitting with strong regulatory knowledge and ability to coordinate with agencies and multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a biology/environmental field with 4–8+ years of wetland science experience.
• Demonstrated wetland delineation experience in Minnesota and strong knowledge of wetland regulations (USACE 404, 401).
• Experience preparing technical reports, permit applications, and regulatory correspondence.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; valid driver's license for fieldwork across Minnesota and Midwest.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams on transportation, utility and municipal projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wetland delineations per the Army Corps Manual and regional supplements.
• Prepare wetland reports, figures, and technical documentation.
• Perform vegetation, habitat, and natural resource field assessments.
• Support wetland mitigation planning, restoration, and monitoring.
• Coordinate environmental permitting with USACE, state agencies, and local authorities.
• Evaluate project impacts and develop avoidance and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare permit applications and regulatory correspondence; track permit conditions.
• Collaborate with engineers, planners, scientists, and project managers; contribute to proposals and budgets.

Skills

Wetland ecology

Environmental permitting

Regulatory coordination

Project management

Fieldwork

Technical reporting

Team collaboration

Education

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

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Wetlands Biologist / Environmental Permitting Specialist to join our Minneapolis-based environmental team. This position will support a variety of transportation, municipal, utility, energy, and private development projects throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience conducting wetland delineations, natural resource assessments, and environmental permitting. This role requires a strong understanding of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, the ability to coordinate with regulatory agencies, and experience supporting multidisciplinary project teams from planning through construction.

Key Responsibilities

Wetland and Natural Resource Services

• Conduct wetland delineations in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and Regional Supplements.
• Prepare wetland delineation reports, figures, and technical documentation.
• Perform vegetation, habitat, and natural resource field assessments.
• Support wetland mitigation planning, restoration, and monitoring activities.
• Conduct field investigations and environmental surveys in varying terrain and weather conditions.

Environmental Permitting

• Prepare and manage environmental permit applications and approvals for public and private sector projects
• Coordinate permitting efforts with agencies, including
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  • State permitting agencies
  • Watershed Management Organizations
  • Local governments and municipalities
• Evaluate project impacts and develop avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies
• Track permit conditions and support permit compliance during project implementation

Project Delivery

• Collaborate with engineers, planners, scientists, and project managers
• Support proposal development, scope preparation, and cost estimates
• Manage tasks, schedules, and budgets for assigned projects
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, permit applications, and regulatory correspondence
• Participate in client and agency meetings

Key Competencies

• Technical expertise in wetland ecology and regulations
• Regulatory agency coordination
• Project management and organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and quality assurance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, or a related field
• 4-8+ years of professional experience in wetland science and environmental permitting
• Demonstrated experience conducting wetland delineations in Minnesota
• Working knowledge of
  • Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting
  • Section 401 Water Quality Certification
  • Environmental permitting processes
• Experience preparing technical reports and permit applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and willingness to perform fieldwork throughout Minnesota and the greater Midwest.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform fieldwork in wetlands, streams, wooded areas, and construction sites
• Ability to walk long distances over uneven terrain
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds of field equipment
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions

Ideally you'll also have

• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification or ability to obtain
• Experience with NEPA environmental documentation
• Experience supporting transportation, utility, renewable energy, or municipal infrastructure projects
• GIS proficiency (ArcGIS Pro preferred)
• Knowledge of threatened and endangered species review processes.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $80,900.00 to $126,425.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on September 04, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.