Wetland and Permitting Specialist

ESA seeks a highly motivated Wetland Scientist and Permitting Specialist to join our Pacific Northwest Biological Resources and Land Management team.  Our ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in wetland science and permitting in Washington and Oregon, but candidates with 5+ years of experience who meet the qualifications will also be considered. This is a salaried, full-time exempt role. Qualified candidates must be able and willing to work hybrid (1-2 days a week) from one of our Northwest Office Locations including: Seattle, Portland, & Bend.  Some travel required for in-person team collaboration, project visits, and field work as needed.  

We are interested in proactive candidates who have strong experience in one or more of the following: wetland and aquatic resource delineations, mitigation planning, preparing reports and applications for local, state, and federal permits coupled with experience and field work in botany, soil science, fisheries biology, wildlife ecology, and habitat restoration ecology. Technical writing skills are strongly preferred.  This is a mid-level opportunity focused on collaboration with senior technical staff and helping to grow early-career staff, quality, outstanding internal and external client service, and being part of a team with a passion to do great work and have fun together.    

Who You Are 

• A Scientist and Permitting Specialist with at least 5 years of experience in the Northwest collecting, analyzing, and presenting in writing ecological data and environmental documentation to support projects and obtain regulatory permits and approvals.
• You have experience developing and leading wetland and aquatic resources studies, with some experience in one or more of the biological disciplines ESA projects require, including botany, fisheries biology, wildlife ecology, and habitat restoration ecology. Certifications and training in one or more of these disciplines are a plus.
• You have served as the primary or contributing author on a variety of environmental documents such as Wetland and Stream Reports, critical area reports, Biological Assessments for Endangered Species Act consultations, habitat mitigation plans, strategic plans for watershed management, fish passage barrier assessments, and permit applications such as Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Applications and Joint Permit Applications.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills. You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported. 
• You have led field survey efforts and data collection for environmental projects and possess the ability to work with multiple teams and complex schedules.
• You have experience drafting scopes of work for Senior level review on small to complex projects, including identifying necessary tasks, preparing task descriptions, and estimating the associated level of effort.
• You hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree in biology or a related environmental or ecological field.
• You can safely operate, load, and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. Experience with digital field data collection tools such as GPS, ArcGIS Collector/Field Maps, Fulcrum, Survey 123 is desired, but not required.
• You work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality work products according to scopes, schedules, and budgets. You are an effective team member and communicator who contributes constructively and cooperatively to solve project and team challenges.
• You are able to work hybrid primarily in one of our NW offices in Seattle, Portland, or Bend with some days working remotely if you choose. 

What You Will Do for ESA

• As an Wetland Scientist and Permitting Specialist, you will serve as field lead or crew member performing field surveys and will be the primary author of environmental documents including technical memoranda, biological assessments/habitat evaluations, scientific discipline reports, habitat mitigation plans, and impact evaluations to support resource-related permit applications, including in support of Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.  
• You will apply your technical skills and permitting knowledge to natural resources projects. You will serve as a technical specialist, participating in environmental analyses and coordinating with key team members, including senior and junior staff, subconsultants, and clients. Lead the preparation and implementation of biological field studies. This includes field studies such as wetland delineations, vegetation classification and habitat mapping, stream habitat assessment, fish passage barrier assessment, nesting bird surveys, endangered species occurrence, and water quality sampling. You will produce technical work and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported.
• You may serve as a Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, or Task Lead depending on complexity of project. You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices, including managing your work to the scope, budget, and schedule. You will proactively and constructively communicate to successfully navigate project or scope challenges that may arise. You will also take the initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively, lead and advise on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.  
• You thrive in a fast-paced, exciting, and challenging environment and are able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently. 
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required. Field work is expected to be approx. 40% with 60% in at home/office work.
• Driving needs: You possess a valid driver’s license with a clean DMV record. 
• Other ad-hoc tasks as needed

What’s Special About Our Biological Resources & Land Management Team

Our Biological Resources & Land Management Team includes Wetland Biologists, Fisheries Biologists, Wildlife Ecologists, Environmental Scientists, Conservation/Climate Planning Specialists, and Permitting Specialists who provide expertise for many agencies in Washington, Oregon and across the Northwest. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross disciplinary engagement and integration. 

 What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of employee-owners who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.