Environmental Scientist/Ecologist - Energy

Overview
ABOUT THE POSITION
Environmental Scientist/Ecologist - Energy South Burlington, VT Rutland, VT
VHB's South Burlington, VT office, consistently named one of the Best Places to Work by Vermont Business Magazine, is seeking an experienced Environmental Scientist/Ecologist to join our Natural Sciences and Energy team based in our Rutland, VT location. Our diverse and challenging professional portfolio in Vermont includes projects for utilities, renewable energy development, ski resorts, transportation infrastructure, municipalities, and real estate development. This position will involve both field and office-related work, conducting a variety of field natural resources surveys, producing technical reports, regulatory product development, as well as some work scope development, project, and task management. This position may involve working in remote field locations, temporary assignments in other regions where VHB operates. This could include extended hours and/or weekend/overnight travel shifts and will require the ability to navigate and physically work in challenging mountainous terrain and weather conditions.
Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a team of professionals to develop work approach, schedule, and execute a variety of natural resource assessments for a multitude of environmental, energy, land development and water resources projects primarily in Vermont and the northern New England/upstate New York region.
• Lead fieldwork in natural resource assessments including, but not limited to, botanical surveys, wildlife surveys, habitat evaluations, and rare, threatened and endangered species surveys, and may review the work of others to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Act as a field mentor and may manage field staff conducting the field surveys.
• Participates or leads regulatory agency field reviews and/or project pre-application meetings.
• Prepare technical reports or provides technical reviews to present the methods/results of natural resources assessments, primarily to support Projects seeking a Vermont Act 250 Land Use Permit or authorization under Vermont Section 248 Energy Siting Law.
• Assist with preparation of state, federal, and local permitting applications.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and collaboratively in a team.
• Strong work ethic, and excellent verbal, technical writing, organization, responsiveness, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand the role of an environmental consultant and communicate between team members, clients, and state/federal officials.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic about natural ecology and/or environmental law/policy with a demonstrated ability to produce quality work and grow professionally.
• Experience perfoming field work/surveys in varied terrain and weather conditions.
• Natural community and wildlife habitat assessments, stream habitat and flow assessment, floristic inventory, and RTE plant surveys.
• Experience conducting, defending, and reporting the results of field studies preferred.
• Experience with ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online and Collector or Field Maps, and the suite of Microsoft Office platforms preferred.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Environmental Science, Ecology, or Natural Resources related field.
• 3-5 years of natural resources fieldwork experience required.
• 5-8 years of natural resources fieldwork experience preferred.
• Field experience performing plant and wildlife identification required.
• Ability and willingness to travel in VT region for up to 30% - 50% of working time; overnights may also be required for approximately 10% of working time.
• Must have a valid driver's license and pass a DMV check.

WE ARE VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments.
Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.
Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience.

• Inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects.
• Amazing co-workers
• A focus on learning and development
• Flexible, hybrid workplace

It's not surprising that VHB has consistently been rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing and we hope you'll join us!
VHB is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.
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