January 17, 2020
Office Location: Denver, Colorado

Position Overview

This position is for an ecologist/wetland permitting specialist and will support new and existing wetland, stream, and natural resource projects based out of our Denver office. Primary duties will include delineating wetlands, identifying vegetation communities including noxious weeds, ecological restoration and wetland mitigation planning, conducting rare plant surveys, and Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting. Depending on experience, other duties could include Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act compliance and other environmental planning and management services.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, natural resources, botany, watershed science, or a similar discipline; and
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in the field of ecological restoration and/or wetland permitting and compliance. Specific experience should include conducting pre-project baseline and reference site inventories and wetland delineations and assisting with restoration and wetland mitigation design, permitting, implementation, and monitoring for projects in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Performance Expectations and Responsibilities

• Experience with Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting, including functional wetland and stream assessments, wetland mitigation plan development, and Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Independently complete wetland delineations, including categorization of wetland resources to Cowardin class.
• Accurately recognize and identify plants during fieldwork.
• Familiarity with other biological resources and desire to learn.
• Comfort working independently or in teams in remote landscapes.
• Independently collect necessary digital data and prepare field equipment.
• Perform detailed data analysis and complete legally defensible documents; specifically, wetland delineation reports and permitting documentation such as preconstruction notifications.
• Understanding of construction drawings and specifications to determine impacts on wetlands or other resources and coordinate with clients to develop site-specific restoration plans.
• Participate in business development activities (with new or existing clients) such as proposals and scopes of work.
• Travel throughout the western U.S. for projects will be required. Travel from April through August may be up to 30 percent, with occasional travel the remainder of the year.
• Must be able to work variable hours, long days, early mornings, and weekends; fieldwork is schedule dependent. Overtime may occur and will be compensated based on company policies.
• Effectively communicate with GIS staff to coordinate maps and locational information.
• Meet deadlines and hours per task targets as required by project budgets.
• Periodic driving of ERO work vehicles – 4WD experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Prior completion of an approved wetland delineation course
• Training in plant identification and knowledge of wetland species indicator status
• Physical stamina to perform strenuous fieldwork, carry a minimum of 25 pounds, hike more than 3 miles in a day over rough terrain, and work in adverse weather conditions
• Field experience overseeing the implementation of stream and wetland restoration projects
• Professionalism, integrity, and comfort working with people are of the utmost importance as the position requires regular contact with clients, engineers, and regulators
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products and Adobe Acrobat
• Communicate professionally and effectively with project teams and regulators, both in writing and verbally
• Organized, detail-oriented, and solution-oriented thinker with a strong work ethic
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities and be self-directed
• Ability to collaborate with field teams and cross-functional teams throughout the company
• Previous experience working for an environmental consulting firm desired

If you are qualified for this position in ERO’s Denver office, please email a cover letter, resume describing your education and experience, and how you heard about the job posting to opportunities@eroresources.com by February 29, 2020. Adobe pdf format is preferred. No phone inquiries please; you will receive an email notifying you that ERO has received your application. Only potential candidates will be contacted for interviews. Applicants selected for interviews will be asked to provide at least three references and two project descriptions highlighting your relevant ecological restoration and Section 404 permitting experience. ERO participates in e-verify and preemployment background screening services. ERO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans to apply.