Ecologist III
RES is accepting applications for an Ecologist III with 5+ years of relevant experience for our Lafayette, Louisiana office.
The Mission: We are looking for an experienced ecologist and leader to join our team in the Gulf Coast region. The perfect candidate will be able to supervise, train, and lead, while possessing the ability to perform high level work themselves using a deep and expansive understanding of wetland ecology. Knowledge of current regulations regarding the industry and experience coordinating with operations and other forms of management are highly valuable for this role as well.
What your day-to-day might look like?
Around 25% of your time, you will be coordinating and performing various supervisory and project management tasks. You will work with various teams within RES to ensure all requirements for our contractual agreements are completed on time and on budget. This is a supervisory position and as such you will work directly with the ecological field team, coordinate field efforts for both staff and equipment, create and maintain field and reporting schedules, make recommendations on data collection procedures and applications and oversee all day-to-day field activities. You will assist with budget development, proposal development and new land searches.
Around 25-50% of your time, you will be performing data analysis, processing, and technical writing. Superior writing, communication, and computer skills (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and attention to detail are paramount. You will be the final reviewer for all ecological documents. These documents may include wetland delineation and mitigation monitoring reports including all corresponding data and figures, impact assessments, new site assessment reports and elements of regulatory documents for the establishment of new projects.
Around 25-50% of your time, you will be in the field. As needed, you will lead one or multiple teams that will perform wetland delineations, stream/wetland mitigation monitoring, feasibility assessments of potential restoration projects, endangered species and habitat surveys, and other environmental site assessments. In addition, you will complete technical compliance visits and attend agency site visits. Be ready to talk about your knowledge of data collection methods during the interview process!
Please be advised that we perform these tasks come rain or come shine and working outside in harsh and adverse weather conditions (including both cold and hot environments) is part of the routine. You will also be walking long distances, bending, lifting heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), and performing other physical activities. Occasionally, some of our projects require extensive travel with overnight stays.
Qualifications
- BA/BS in an environmental science field such as, but not limited to, ecology, wetland science, aquatic biology, botany, wildlife biology, fisheries, soils, hydrology, etc.
- Experience leading Agency field fields
- Experience training junior staff
- Experience performing wetland delineations and leading a field team
- Strong working knowledge of plant identification and vegetation surveys in the Gulf Coast region.
- Understanding of stream and wetland restoration design principles and construction
- Worked on soil and vegetation management plans for solar projects.
- ArcGIS proficiency
What will make you stand out?
- MS in an applicable environmental science field
- FAA drone license
- Herbicide applicator license
- Experience with HOBOware and well monitoring
- Experience with Trimble GPS units, ArcGIS, and/or other ESRI data collection software
- Experience drafting standard operating procedures for field assessments and monitoring
- Some project management experience
- Specialized certifications such as PWD, PWS, or permits for endangered species collection
- Prescribed burned certificate
- Experience working with federal and state resource and regulatory agency personnel and various permitting processes