Natural Resources Specialist 2

HDR is hiring a Natural Resources Specialist 2 to join our highly collaborative environmental team. This position can be based out of our Tampa, Sarasota or Orlando office. Candidates that strive for excellence in their day-to-day work, scientific practice, and careers, as well as those individuals that are interested in continuing to expand their scientific knowledge through collaboration and continued learning, will integrate nicely into our environmental practice.

Our team spends time in the field and in front of a computer throughout the year. Field work includes wetland and other surface waters delineations, floristic surveys, and wildlife surveys that are performed to support impact assessments, impact avoidance, regulatory permitting efforts, and pre- and post-construction compliance. When we are at our computers, we analyze the data collected in the field and use those data to prepare natural resource reports, mitigation and monitoring plans, regulatory permit applications, and other technical papers as needed. This individual will work closely with our task leads to meet the environmental needs of our internal and external clients (project managers).

Primary Responsibilities

• Collect project-related data in the office and in the field for projects.




• In-office work will include, but not be limited to performing desktop research, as well as completing environmental permit applications, NEPA documentation, biological assessments, and other environmental compliance documentation.
• Field work will include wetland and other surface waters delineations, floristic surveys, and wildlife surveys that are performed to support impact assessments, impact avoidance, regulatory permitting efforts, and pre- and post-construction compliance.




• Perform as an Environmental Task Lead for medium- or small-size projects or assist more senior scientists on larger projects.
• Coordinate with environmental staff on upcoming and existing tasks.
• Work on a wide variety of environmental compliance and natural resources projects as they relate to transportation, water resources, power, waste and development projects.
• Work under the supervision/guidance of senior environmental scientists and engineers
• Assimilate, manage, and analyze collected data
• Define the level of environmental analysis required
• Perform complex assignments, making independent decisions on problems and methods
• Assist in preparation for and participation in public information meetings and hearings
• Assist public and private clients with permit coordination, acquisition and compliance
• Take responsibility for preparing environmental permits, NEPA documentation, biological assessments and other environmental compliance documentation
• Perform other duties as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of applicable experience including:
  
  
  
  • Previous experience supporting environmental permit applications for USACE, Water Management Districts, and/or FDEP permits.
  • Previous wetland delineation experience
  • Experience in preparation of UMAM analysis
  • Knowledge of Florida's flora and/or fauna
  • Previous wildlife survey experience
  • Experience drafting technical documents such as scientific papers, survey findings reports, compliance documentation, or similar.
  
  
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work in inclement conditions and travel for a few days at a time for field work
• Good organizational and data handling skills
• Experience with ArcGIS software and Trible GPS units
• Motivated and detail-oriented individual who takes initiative
• Local candidates are preferred
• Environmental permitting and related environmental services experience for transportation projects in Florida
• Licensed as a Gopher Tortoise Agent (GTA)

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or closely related field
• 5 years technical and/or field experience preparing environmental documents
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel)
• Strong environmental writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must