Senior Environmental Scientist

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm of more than 2,000 professionals that provides a full range of multi-disciplined engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #59 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Position summary: Manages various environmental investigations, permitting, ecological restoration, and impact analyses projects, applying knowledge of environmental practices and regulations. Manages, directs, and oversees work of Environmental Scientists.  Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Conducts research of designated environmental resources including wetlands, forests, streams, soils, plants, and wildlife
• Collects data and field samples during field investigations
• Oversees, analyzes, and manages data received from field investigations; determines the location, size, condition, and impacts to designated environmental resources
• Documents methodologies and findings of research and field investigations
• Leads, prepares, and manages natural environmental technical reports, field delineation reports, impact assessments, environmental inspection reports, and similar reports
• Leads and manages various state, federal, and local regulatory permit application processes, such as Section 404/401, Endangered Species Act Section 7 & 10 Consultation, NPDES, etc.
• Oversees Environmental Scientists’ work in field investigations and assessments, NEPA documentation preparation, and permit application preparation
• Monitors schedules, budgets and manpower requirements
• Hires, trains, develops, mentors, and conducts performance reviews for staff
• Leads preparation of scopes of work, fee proposals, and responses to RFP’s, including teaming arrangements and attending and presenting at project/contract interviews
• Participates in and assists Section Heads with strategic planning and Business Development efforts, including leading initiatives

Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities

• Supports preparation of NEPA documents, including writing environmental setting and impact analyses sections
• Leads and participates in preparation of public involvement materials and attends public meetings
• Leads and manages environmental compliance surveys (e.g., stormwater management facilities, erosion and sediment control procedures, design/build projects, etc.) and Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
• Leads geomorphic surveys and design efforts of ecological restoration projects (for those working in ecological restoration roles)
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental or natural science, biology, planning, ecology, or a related field, plus 7+ years of experience with essential functions and responsibilities as outlined above
• Advanced wetland delineation and/or hydric soils training
• Expertise with USACE regulatory permitting under CWA Section 404 and/or RHA Section 10
• Experience preparing biological consultation documents for ESA Section 7 and/or 10, including Biological Assessments and Biological Evaluations, and obtaining concurrence from USFWS  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel,  and Powerpoint and familiarity with AutoCADD and/or Microstation, ArcMap, and/or other GIS programs

Preferred Experience

• Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental or natural science, biology, planning, ecology, or a related field
• Professional Certifications (e.g., Professional Wetland Scientist, Certified Wetland Delineator, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Certified Environmental Professional, Project Management Professional, etc.)
• Wetland/Stream Permitting and Jurisdictional Determination experience within the Galveston and/or Fort Worth Districts of the USACE
• TxDOT pre-certified for multiple environmental categories
• Scientific collections permit from TPWD and/or USFWS for various species of plant and/or animal species (e.g., freshwater mussels, reptiles, amphibians, avifauna, fish, mammals, etc.)
• Rosgen Level I-IV training (for those working in ecological restoration)

Working Conditions

Work is performed within a general office environment approximately 75% of the time. Office work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Office work is performed with adequate lighting and temperature, with no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

Field work is required approximately 25% of the time and is conducted outdoors in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Field work will require walking and carrying field equipment over typical outdoor terrain. Some lifting (up to 25 lbs) may be required as needed.

JMT is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity, and we are proud to be building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

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