Senior Environmental Scientist
Natural Resources
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm of more than 2,300 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 #61 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.
Position Summary: Manages various environmental investigations, permitting, and impact analyses projects, applying knowledge of environmental practices and regulations. Manages teams of field staff, as needed.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Conducts and oversees research of designated environmental resources including wetlands, forests, streams, soils, plants, and wildlife
- Collects and oversees data and field sample collection 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 compliance inspection reports, and similar reports
- Leads and manages environmental compliance surveys (e.g., stormwater management facilities, erosion and sediment control procedures, design/build projects, VDOT/USACE/VDEQ compliance inspections, etc.)
- Ability to lead and manage various state, federal, and local regulatory permit application processes, such as Section 404/401, Endangered Species Act Section 7 & 10 Consultation, NPDES, Forest Conservation Act, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, etc.
- Oversees Environmental Scientists’ work in field investigations and assessments and permit application preparation
- Participates in project schedule and milestone development in accordance with client requirements and meets deadlines for schedule
- Monitors schedules, budgets, and manpower requirements
- Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team
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
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- May participate in other assigned duties, including, but not limited to development of public involvement materials, NEPA document preparation, attending public meetings, providing input on strategic planning and business development
- Conducts Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental or natural science, biology, planning, ecology, or a related field, plus 7-10+ years of experience with essential functions and responsibilities as outlined above
- Expertise preparing USACE, VDEQ and VMRC permit applications
- Local professional certifications (for example, Forest Conservation Act “Qualified Professional” certification in Maryland, Stormwater and/or Erosion & Sediment Control Inspection, etc.)
- Demonstrated experience conducting environmental compliance inspections
- 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.)
- Advanced wetland delineation and/or hydric soils training
- Rosgen Level I-IV training
- Knowledge of NEPA regulations and requirements including, at minimum, 40 CFR 1500-1508
- Knowledge of and experience with Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations
Working Conditions
Work is performed within a general office environment approximately 60-75% 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 may be a significant component of this position and may require extended (one to two weeks) travel and long hours in the field 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.
This position is located at 272 Bendix Road Suite 260, Virginia Beach, VA. View the Google Map in full screen.