Senior Staff Scientist

General Responsibilities:

Passionate about the Environment?

Join Our Team in Salt Lake City, Utah or Boise, Idaho as a Project Wetland Scientist/Ecologist!

At Terracon, we're more than just a company-we're a community of environmental enthusiasts dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet. As a 100% employee-owned organization, we take pride in our work and strive to create a better world for future generations.

What You'll Do:

• Participate in exciting projects: conducting wetland and stream delineations and providing permitting support related to Waters of the U.S., performing threatened and endangered species and habitat assessments in support of Endangered Species Act compliance, and supporting preparation of NEPA environmental documents.
• Collaborate with seasoned professionals across the region to shape the future of our business and work alongside archaeologists and other specialists to deliver multidisciplinary solutions for our valued clients.

Why Choose Terracon?

• Growth Opportunity: Be part of our rapidly expanding Environmental Planning Practice within our established Intermountain operation.
• Ecological Impact: Join a dynamic team that delivers essential ecological services to protect our natural world.
• Employee Well-Being: We prioritize a safe and healthy work environment for all our employee-owners.

Ready to make a difference? Explore the possibilities with us at Terracon!

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

We are looking for a professional with skills and experience primarily in wetland science (experienced in and able to conduct wetland assessments and delineations) and potentially additionally ecology and biology, in order to support projects in our developing Environmental Planning Group, where wetland projects form a large part of the portfolio and also includes environmental compliance and habitat assessment projects. This position will report to the Environmental Department Manager and will perform research on conditions and resources on project sites, conduct field surveys/studies and oversee other staff in doing so, analyze and report on results, and assist with preparation of reports, permits and other regulatory documentation. Some specific responsibilities are listed below:

• Understand and implement technical requirements for Environmental Planning projects by conducting site visits and/or overseeing field staff to assess sites, collect and analyze data on stream, wetland, vegetation and habitat characteristics, and accurately document results, observations and site activities.
• Possess strong understanding of Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements, particularly those pertaining to Utah and Idaho.
• Conduct research and analyze data from desktop reviews gathering site information from existing databases, topographical maps, aerial photos and other sources to form a basis of site understanding prior to field visits.
• Collaborate with department managers and environmental staff in our Utah and Idaho offices and our Rocky Mountain Division to develop clients and work with our team to grow Environmental Planning services in the Intermountain region, delivering consistent, high-quality work products and consulting solutions for clients.
• Support preparation of project proposals, including scope of work and fee, for existing and new clients.
• Employ best practices for risk management and loss prevention. Be familiar with company risk policies.
• Lead safety efforts for project team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines

Additional Responsibilities:

• Prepare Statements of Qualifications and proposals, identify new opportunities for professional services, and author technical reports. Candidates will be expected to maintain professional relationships with regulatory personnel, prospective clients and/or other natural resource professionals.

Requirements:

Ideal candidates will demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's and/or master's degree(s) in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Hydrology or other relevant fields of study.
• At least 7 years of related or applicable experience in wetland science, biology and habitats, project management and/or environmental regulations and permitting.
• Proficiency in delineating Waters of the U.S., including streams and wetlands, and understanding of Federal and State assessment and rating systems and permitting requirements and processes.
• Understanding of, and/or committed willingness to learn, Federal, State (particularly UT and ID), and local environmental regulations and permitting requirements (e.g., Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, local and State requirements)
• Proficiency in the use of GIS and Microsoft Office software, including electronic document preparation, is desirable.
• Holding species-specific permits such as 10(a) scientific study permits for one or more species is desirable.
• Experience with solar and transmission line projects as well as commercial projects and data centers is desirable.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.