Environmental Permitting Specialist Wetland Scientist Biologist

Job Description

We are seeking a full-time Environmental Permitting Specialist/Wetland Scientist/Biologist to join our Environmental Group in KPFF’s Portland Civil + Survey office. This position will work alongside our Senior Environmental Lead and will be an integral part of our environmental team as we continue to grow our environmental services capabilities and capacity. Our Environmental Group currently works on a wide variety of projects including but not limited to transportation, fish passage, port, boat ramp/kayak launch, parks, water intake, and school/campus projects.

A successful candidate will be interested in working in KPFF’s unique entrepreneurial environment – where you will experience growth based on your own competency, passion, and commitment and will be encouraged to work on what inspires you. Our flat organizational structure and minimal restrictions allow employees to work directly and independently with clients, while drawing upon the experience and resources of other professionals on the project team.

We are passionate about developing great engineers, surveyors, and environmental professionals. We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries and pay you for every hour you work.

• Prepare federal, state, and local environmental permit applications
• Perform environmental fieldwork and reporting
• Coordinate with project engineers regarding environmental impacts
• Prepare, or assist in the preparation of, project scopes and fees for senior level review
• Assist with business development

• B.A./B.S (and/or advanced) degree in an applicable field (e.g., biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, water resources, or a related field)
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, including the majority of the following:
  • Knowledge of, and experience with, federal, state, and local environmental permitting regulations, including Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 401 and 404, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Oregon Removal-Fill law, Washington hydraulic code, and local environmental ordinances in Oregon and Washington
  • Wetland and Ordinary High Water delineation fieldwork and reporting, including ORWAP, SFAM, and Washington State Wetland Rating System;
    Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) preferred
  • Experience preparing Joint Permit Applications (JPAs) and Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Applications (JARPAs), Mitigation Bank Use Plans and/or Compensatory Mitigation Plans, planting plans, Natural Resource Assessments, local Land Use Review documentation (for example, City of Portland E-zone permitting), Critical Areas Assessments, etc.
  • Experience writing biological assessments and no effect letters; WSDOT and/or ODOT certification preferred
  • Experience writing NEPA Categorical Exclusion and/or Environmental Assessment documentation
  • Environmental construction observation experience
  • Nesting bird survey experience
  • Water quality sampling
  • CAD and/or GIS skills
  • GPS data collection skills
  • Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail
  • Ability to handle multiple concurrent projects and priorities
  • Ability to have a driver’s license and perform environmental fieldwork including walking over rough ground while carrying a pack in a variety of weather conditions. Most fieldwork is local and does not require overnight travel, but occasional overnight travel may be required.
  • Enthusiastic about providing exceptional client service
  • Motivated to learn and grow in the position and eventually lead internal teams
  • Experience managing small- to medium-size projects is a plus

You understand that success requires more than handling the task at hand – it requires the ability to think beyond the task and consider ‘big picture’ process and effects. You don’t wilt under pressure, are excited to problem solve, and are passionate about attention to the details. You seek to work collaboratively, do not hesitate to raise questions, and desire to be part of the solution.

You take pride and ownership in your work and understand your role in our company’s success.

The base salary for this role is competitive…