Senior Biologist - Project Manager

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for a full-time Senior Biologist - Project Manager to join our Power Delivery team focused on managing large-scale transmission projects.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in applied ecological studies, the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data, and impact assessment and permitting. Since its founding in 1990, the WEST team has shaped our work through our core values and key principles that our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

Key Details:

• Compensation: $100K+, DOE; as well as robust bonus share, and above-industry averages on 401k matching
• Start Date: Flexible
• Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received
• Location: This position can be remote for the right candidate (southwest, northwest, or Rocky Mountain regions in U.S. are preferred, with additional options in the Midwest); however, preference will be given to those that are willing to relocate to a WEST office.

Job Summary:

This role is identified specifically for growth within WEST's Power Delivery group. The person selected for this role will be an experienced project manager leading large-scale transmission line projects and other similar linear facilities projects. The job will involve managing projects, assembling and managing large teams of permitting specialists, wildlife/wetland specialists, and other environmental specialists through pre-construction surveys, agency coordination, and permitting. As part of a growing team, this role will also have an emphasis on mentoring deputy project managers and providing senior advisement.

Ideal candidates will have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in natural resources discipline and 10+ years of experience in environmental consulting as project manager for linear infrastructure projects. Although the position will focus on transmission line projects, the person selected for this position may also support other linear facilities projects, and renewable energy or other types of development projects as needed and based on experience.

Responsibilities include:

WEST's Senior Biologists, Project Managers, and Environmental Planning Specialists work individually, as well as with a team of environmental planners, natural resource specialists, scientists, and GIS specialists.

• Complete and direct various project management and support tasks related to linear project siting evaluation, environmental planning, or environmental reviews (e.g., federal/state/local site permitting and environmental reviews, wetland and/or water resource permitting, environmental site assessments).
• Coordinate and manage natural resource field studies (e.g., wildlife, wetlands).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (including internal staff and external sub consultants) in completing environmental review for small, medium, and large-scale linear projects.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies, tribes, and the public in support of client-directed project work.
• Collaborate closely with clients to support real-time requests and help clients implement scientific consulting solutions and maintain complex and intricate project schedules. Take lead on navigating the regulatory landscape and providing clients with novel and innovative solutions.
• Review reports, applying expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
• Responsible for ensuring team alignment on field data management and GIS data processes to ensure WEST standards and client requirements are met through our deliverables.
• Market WEST's capabilities, respond to proposal requests, and provide oversight in the development of scopes of work and budget estimates.
• Foster current business relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• Help maintain WEST's position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.
• Supervision/Mentorship:
  
  
  
  • Manage project teams, deliverables, schedules and budgets for multiple projects.
  • Mentor deputy project managers.
  
  
  
  
• This position will require overnight travel.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

The successful candidate must be a self-starter who possesses:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in environmental planning, biological sciences, natural resources, ecology or equivalent, and/or GIS. Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of directly relevant experience in environmental consulting and project management, including demonstrated experience in managing and providing leadership of large and complex projects.
• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and experience effectively communicating with clients and agency staff through planning regulations at the local, state, and federal level (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404/10 permitting, NEPA, NPDES permitting, ESA compliance, BGEPA permitting, zoning/land development permitting, etc.). This regulatory understanding would also come a preferred background in natural resource science (including wildlife biology, wetland delineation, plant identification, restoration science, or other areas of ecology potentially of interest to commercial clients).
• Extensive experience in budget estimation for large projects and proposal writing.
• Understanding of the linear facility development process .
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage large and diverse teams, natural resource field studies, data collection and GIS processes, and personnel with varying range of experience and expertise.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail and accurately report the scientific methods and results of field studies, including GIS data management.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, marketing, and maintaining positive relationships with clients or stakeholders, and have a desire to drive and grow the Power Delivery team.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Good time management, project management, schedule management and organizational skills with the ability to work well under time constraints and changing circumstances.
• Ability to follow instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive criticism.
• Ability to adapt to frequently changing timelines and tight deadlines.
• Strong focus on high quality deliverables and client service, while maintaining a positive collaborative team approach.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST's minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver's license will be required.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.