Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP)

Job Title: Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP)
Salary: $85K
Location: Cranston, RI 
Duration: PERM
Shift: M-F 8:30-5:00

Position Summary:
Ecosystem Solutions, Inc. (ESI) is seeking a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) to provide technical leadership in ecological restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring. The position supports environmental consulting projects throughout New England and focuses on restoring degraded ecosystems, particularly freshwater wetlands, coastal wetlands, rivers, and associated habitats.
The CERP will apply principles of restoration ecology, hydrology, soil science, and plant community dynamics to develop and implement scientifically defensible restoration strategies. Responsibilities include ecological assessment, restoration design, regulatory coordination, technical reporting, and oversight of implementation and monitoring programs.
What You’ll Do:

• Conduct ecological site assessments including vegetation surveys, soil characterization, hydrologic evaluation, and habitat analysis.
• Identify ecological stressors and develop restoration strategies that reestablish ecological structure, function, and resilience.
• Prepare restoration plans for wetlands, riparian systems, coastal environments, and other sensitive habitats.
• Develop planting plans using native species appropriate to site hydrology, soils, and ecological community structure.
• Design and implement ecological monitoring programs to evaluate restoration success and ecosystem recovery.
• Collect and analyze ecological data including vegetation composition, hydrologic indicators, wildlife utilization, and soil parameters.
• Provide technical oversight during restoration implementation including grading, hydrologic modifications, invasive species removal, and revegetation.
• Coordinate with engineers, surveyors, environmental scientists, and regulatory agencies during project planning and implementation.
• Prepare technical reports including ecological assessments, restoration plans, monitoring reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Support environmental permitting efforts related to wetland restoration, habitat mitigation, and ecological enhancement projects.
• Apply adaptive management strategies based on monitoring data and site performance.

Project Types:

• Wetland restoration and enhancement
• Wetland mitigation and compensatory mitigation projects
• River and stream restoration
• Coastal habitat restoration
• Sediment and watershed restoration
• Habitat restoration for wildlife and rare species
• Ecological rehabilitation of disturbed landscapes

Role Goals:

• Apply restoration ecology principles and best available science to design and implement ecosystem restoration strategies that restore ecological structure, function, and resilience.
• Conduct ecological assessments and develop restoration plans, planting plans, and monitoring protocols that support successful ecosystem recovery.
• Prepare technical reports and regulatory documentation that support environmental permitting and demonstrate compliance with applicable wetland and coastal regulations.
• Oversee restoration implementation and monitoring activities, including vegetation establishment, hydrologic restoration, and invasive species management.
• Analyze monitoring data and apply adaptive management strategies to ensure restoration projects achieve established ecological performance standards and long term sustainability.

Regulatory Coordination:
The CERP will support regulatory compliance and permitting associated with restoration and environmental projects. This may include coordination with agencies such as the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and local conservation commissions. Work will require familiarity with state and federal wetland regulations and restoration performance standards.
Who We’re Looking For:

• Certification as a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP).
• Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in restoration Ecology, Environmental Science, Wetland Science, Biology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in ecological restoration planning and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of plant ecology, wetland ecology, hydrology, and soil science.
• Willingness to work in various outdoor environments and perform physically demanding tasks
• Experience conducting ecological monitoring and analyzing ecological data.
• Familiarity with environmental permitting and wetland regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency with GIS, GPS mapping, and ecological data collection methods.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities to work with team members.

Work Environment & Values:

• This position involves a combination of fieldwork and technical report preparation. Fieldwork may include site inspections, vegetation surveys, soil characterization, and restoration monitoring. Work may occur in wetlands, forests, coastal environments, and other natural areas under varying weather conditions.
• Office responsibilities include technical report preparation, restoration planning, data analysis, and coordination with project teams and regulatory agencies.