Lead Professional, Biology

Lead Professional, Biology

WSP is currently seeking a Lead Professional, Biology to join the team in New York at either our Buffalo, Syracuse, or Troy (Albany) office. Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for the collection, identification, compiling, and analysis of observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, wetland, wildlife, marine, terrestrial, botanical, and/or avian species. Provides support and guidance for environmental work and environmental permitting projects across multiple sectors.

Ensures that documentation and recommendations accurately describe the results of analyses and addresses environmental impact and complies with applicable laws, regulations, and policies suitable for permit documentation. Assists project leadership with environmental impact assessment, corrective/mitigation strategy development, permitting, and/or restoration activities. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.

• Provide guidance with data collection efforts for identifying and compiling observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, wetland, wildlife, marine, terrestrial, botanical, and/or avian species, as well as biological/environmental data from samples of air, soil, water, sludge, and other matrices for projects, investigations, and surveys.
• Analyze literature, data, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary biological impacts.
• Prepare and complete biological survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, CEQA, NEPA, etc.).
• Ensure regulatory requirement compliance pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record compliance and retention.
• Perform professional biology work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore mid- to larger-scale biological problems.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, field biology, and regulatory strategy, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
• Provide high level oversight for desk-based research, fieldwork, and/or laboratory work, including measurements, data interpretation, and computer modeling.
• Provide biological and environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
• Remain current in latest biology subject matter and techniques.
• Actively engage in business development and proposal writing.
• Seeks out opportunities to mentor junior staff.
• Actively participate in industry events (speaking, contributing to papers / articles, etc.).
• Pursues additional education and deepens technical skills.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life…