Lead Forest Ecologist

Lead Forest Ecologist

WSP USA – California Earth & Environment Team (California, with projects across the U.S.)

As a Lead Forest Ecologist, you will drive federal land management, forest planning, and NEPA/CEQA analysis for a range of multi-state projects. Your work will involve scientific writing, data collection, modeling, and collaborative planning with interdisciplinary teams.

• Serve as forester or forest ecologist on multiple projects in multiple states, including ongoing projects in Oregon.
• Identify potential new clients and project opportunities nationally with internal members of the organization.
• Lead or organize forestry and/or ecology field data collection and prepare related reports.
• Advise other team members on forest planning and impact analysis related to U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies.
• Grow our ability to undertake vegetation modeling, including Forest Vegetation Simulation (FVS) modeling and other statistical analyses to support multiple projects.
• Participate in wildfire mitigation planning.
• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams that include engineers, planners, GIS analysts, recreation specialists, biologists, cultural resources specialists, permitting and environmental resource specialists, and construction compliance monitors.
• Lead or assist with GIS data generation and management, particularly for ecological data, for federal or state clients.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
• 7 to 10 years of experience working as a Forester or Forest Ecologist, with at least 5 years associated with federal lands.
• U.S. Forest Service Experience.
• Well‑developed expertise with conducting NEPA, CEQA, and related analyses and preparation of associated documentation.
• Highly capable self‑leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Up to 20% travel may be required for field work and client meetings.

• Professional certifications as applicable to technical expertise.
• Knowledge of federal and state, and local environmental regulations related to sensitive species in Washington, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan.

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation and personal time.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings.
• Remote work possible from any location in the U.S., supporting projects nationally.

Expected salary: $95,400 – $141,680 (based on education, experience, skills, and geographic location).

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, a global leader in engineering and professional services. We design lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets with more than 15,000 employees across 300 offices in the U.S. to help communities prosper.

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.