Job Description

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that is critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Our Environmental Services group is dedicated to managing environmental issues professionally and proactively. Our staff of professionals includes specialists in marine biology, wetland science, wildlife biology, soil science, fisheries biology, botany, hydrogeology, hydrology, forestry, habitat and ecosystem restoration, permitting, GIS, and Information Management. We help our clients identify and respond to opportunities and threats within constantly changing regulatory and corporate environments, through active engagement with the public, stakeholder groups, and governmental regulators. Our team members have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects that may include endangered species assessments, environmental impact assessment, habitat restoration, wetland characterizations, and water resources management.

Your Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptionally talented and enthusiastic individual with a keen interest in the natural sciences to join our Midwest team and advance their career. We have an opportunity for you that focuses on protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats throughout Iowa. The Environmental Scientist position will primarily be responsible for assessing impacts of transportation projects under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, consultation and coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, implementation of avoidance and mitigation measures to preserve and mitigate unavoidable impacts, and other related work as required.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Review proposed transportation project concepts and plans to assess potential impacts on protected species, critical habitats, and other protected areas (e.g., Loess Hills, forested land) as provided for in state, federal, and local environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
• Serve as Federal Highway Administration designee for consultation with regulatory agencies.
• Attend meetings and work closely with internal transportation engineers, planners, wetland biologists, cultural resources managers, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff to review/minimize/mitigate projects cohesively.
• Coordinate the minimization and mitigation of unavoidable project impacts to protected species, critical habitats, and other sensitive areas.
• Occasional overnight travel required.
• Other duties may include, but are not limited to, participating in multi-disciplinary environmental assessments; recording, entering, organizing, managing, and analyzing data; writing technical reports for client and regulatory agency review; and attending client and regulatory agency meetings and providing recommendations and input.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Knowledge of and/or experience with federal, state, and/or local environmental permitting processes specifically related to endangered species, ESA, MBTA, BGEPA, and/or NEPA.
• Ideal candidate will be a team player and have exceptional oral and written communication, and presentation skills; analytical and creative problem-solving skills; and organizational and note-taking skills.
• Effective leadership and management skills.
• Work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Maintains an attitude of determination and dedication.
• Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Addresses and listens to others in a respectful manner.
• Ability to interface effectively and collaborate with clients, peers, management, and vendors to successfully meet shifting needs.
• Ability to interface effectively and collaborate with clients, peers, management, and vendors to successfully meet shifting needs.
• Integrates work across relevant areas, develop the business and services to enhance customer satisfaction and productivity, manage risks and safety appropriately, manage information, and provide exceptional service to internal and external customers.
• Effective in resource planning, results delivery, and staying current with relevant technology and innovation.
• Strong ethics, influence and negotiation, leadership, the ability to effectively manage stress and engage in continuous learning.
• Ability to motivate self and others to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
• Works well under pressure. Can prioritize and balance sometimes heavy workloads to achieve goals while keeping up with a highly mobile and changing environment.
• Works well with others and keeps other team members aware of project and client needs.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science, natural resources, ecology, wildlife, or related biological field.
• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience, preferably working on transportation projects.
• Must live within 1 hour Ames, Iowa.

This position primarily involves working in an office environment with computers. This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.