Environmental Scientist
Description
Your role at GEI.
GEI Consultants, Inc. (GEI) is seeking an Ecologist to conduct project work in the ecological consulting and restoration management fields. This individual will work collaboratively with clients and GEI’s other leaders and experts in the environmental and engineering fields for multi-benefit projects for private and public clients. The successful candidate should have experience with field data collection, reporting, and permit development for a variety of project types and scales. As part of a multidisciplinary project team, this candidate will have an important role in collecting and analyzing field data; developing technical documents and reports based on these data; assisting in the preparation of applications in support of local, state, and federal permit acquisition; and working as part of our dynamic team to solve an array of environmental issues critical to the environmental, water, and energy landscape. The position involves work on projects primarily throughout Colorado but will also require occasional travel out of state. Travel to sites both in and outside of Colorado may last for up to one consecutive week on multiple occasions throughout the year to assist in data and field collection. There are tremendous career growth opportunities for the successful candidate, with activities that will involve working collaboratively with clients and GEI’s experts across the U.S. and Canada.
Essential Responsibilities & Duties
- Develop environmental compliance strategies for projects that reflect a broad and comprehensive understanding of applicable local, state, and federal natural resource regulations.
- Remain apprised of changes to state and federal environmental regulations as well as economic trends.
- Assist in managing technical data and client relationships on a variety of environmental projects.
- Work with GEI technical and senior staff to prepare relevant portions of studies, evaluations, technical documents, and permit applications for all types and sizes of environmental projects related to water quality, ecology, restoration, and other relevant fields.
- Participate in teams to complete aquatic resource delineations, stream data collection, vegetation and other forms of ecological performance standard/compliance monitoring, watershed assessments, fire mitigation strategies, and biological assessments.
- Contribute to proposal efforts, attend manager-approved conferences, and encourage active participation in professional organizations.
- Occasionally work on active construction sites to confirm permit compliance and interact effectively with construction crews.
- Having a commitment to safety (essential to this role).
- Assist in project file, data, and meeting organization.
- Overnight travel, sometimes for multiple consecutive nights, to assist in field data collection and/or training opportunities.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Desire to participate in field collection efforts in a variety of weather and environmental conditions.
- Willingness to learn project management duties and support project managers throughout the project lifecycle.
- Experience with state and federal environmental laws in Colorado, specifically Clean Water Act Section 404, Endangered Species Act, analyses related to compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and local 1041 permits, and drafting the associated documents for compliance with these regulations.
- BS/MS in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or similar.
- At least five (5) years of experience.
- At least one (1) year of consulting experience.
- Experience participating in wetland delineations, interpreting general spatial data in concert with GIS staff, preparing portions of technical reports, and developing permit applications with oversight.
- General knowledge of natural resource issues, policies, and trends around the U.S.
- Prior professional exposure to stakeholder engagement activities.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including technical writing and effective and responsive communication with other team members.
- Solid work ethic with the ability to work independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Direct experience completing functional assessments for wetlands and streams, such as the Stream Quantification Tool (SQT), and the FACWet highly preferred.
- Experience with sensitive species preferred.
- Some GIS experience preferred.
We are GEI.
Some of the world’s most pressing problems – from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply – need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.
We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.
With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here.
Employee-owned. Employee-focused.
As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs – we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded – which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI’s career site here.
GEI’s Total Rewards Package Includes
- Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
- Pay Range For This Position: $65,000.00 –$75,000.00/year
- Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
- Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
- Commuter Benefits
- Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
- GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
- Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
- Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
- Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
- Rewards and Recognition
- GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
- Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here)
- A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- And More…
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ENVIRONMENT | |||||||||||||||||
Sedentary | x | Light | Medium | Other | |||||||||||||
Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row) | |||||||||||||||||
Physical Activity Requirements | Occasional (0-35% of day) | Frequent (33-66% of day) | Continuous (67-100% of day) | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
Sitting | 4-6 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Standing | 4-6 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Walking | 2-6 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Climbing | 0-1 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds) | 0-30 pounds | ||||||||||||||||
Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds) | 0-10 pounds | ||||||||||||||||
Carrying objects | 4-6 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Push/pull | 0-1 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Twisting | 1-2 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Bending | 2-3 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Reaching forward | 2-3 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Reaching overhead | 1-2 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Squat/kneel/crawl | 2-4 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Wrist position deviation | 0-1 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Pinching/fine motor skills | 1-2 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Keyboard use/repetitive motion | 4-6 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Taste or smell (taste=never) | 0-1 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Talk or hear | 6-8 hours | ||||||||||||||||
Accurate 20/40 | Very Accurate 20/20 | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||||
Near Vision | x | ||||||||||||||||
Far Vision | x | ||||||||||||||||
Yes | No | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||||
Color Discrimination | x | ||||||||||||||||
Sensory Requirements | Minimal | Moderate | Accurate | Not Applicable | |||||||||||||
Depth perception | x | ||||||||||||||||
Hearing | x | ||||||||||||||||
Environment Requirements
Occupational Exposure Risk Potential | Reasonably Anticipated | Not Anticipated |
Blood borne pathogens | x | |
Chemical | x | |
Airborne communicable diseases | x | |
Extreme temperatures | x | |
Radiation | x | |
Uneven surfaces or elevations | x | |
Extreme noise levels | x | |
Dust/particular matter | x |
Other (exposure risks): |
Usual workday hours: | x | 8 | 10 | 12 | Other work hours |
Note that typical ecological staff have highly variable schedules. On average, an ecological staff person may spend around two-thirds of their time in the office and one-third in the field. A typical field day may be 2-8 hours. A typical work week may have 1-2 field days.
GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.