Senior Environmental Scientist

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well‑known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high‑performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That’s why we believe diversity is our greatest strength.

HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

HDR is looking for a Senior Environmental Scientist to join our inclusive, diverse, and highly collaborative environmental team. This position will be based out of any of the following Florida offices:
Tampa, Sarasota, or Orlando. The ideal candidate is an exceptional senior‑level environmental scientist with extensive environmental permitting experience, particularly for ports projects. They will lead benthic surveys, seagrass surveys, wetland delineations, species surveys, and associated regulatory permitting while collaborating across multiple disciplines.

Our team spends time in the field and in front of a computer throughout the year. Field work includes benthic surveys, seagrass surveys, wetland and other surface water delineations, habitat surveys, and wildlife surveys that support impact assessments, regulatory permitting, and construction compliance. When at the computer, we perform desktop surveys, analyze data, and prepare natural resource reports, mitigation and monitoring plans, regulatory permit applications, and other technical papers.

On a day‑to‑day basis, we’ll count on you to:

• Function as a Senior Marine Environmental Project Manager for permitting ports and maritime projects and related environmental services
• Provide technical expertise at the project level and support growing HDR’s environmental program
• Remain up‑to‑date with regulatory policy changes
• Prepare, plan and analyze/review technical studies, permit applications, NEPA documents, and similar reports/documents
• Accomplish work independently and through coordinating or supervising small to large technical and professional teams from local and regional offices
• Manage and deliver several projects concurrently, including developing and managing budgets, schedules, and quality of product
• Support client relations and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings
• Assist public and private clients with permit coordination, acquisition and compliance for seagrass, benthic species, wetland, other surface waters, essential fish habitat, and threatened/endangered species
• Orchestrate marine survey sand assessments, biological field surveys or assessments, data interpretation, analysis and report writing
• Support regional or national projects in specific areas of technical expertise
• Perform other duties as necessary

• BS or MS degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience conducting focused seagrass surveys, benthic surveys, aquatic resources delineations and permitting through an ecological consulting firm, resource agencies (USACE, Water Management Districts, FDEP, USCG), or similar in Florida.
• Demonstrated field experience, including leading field teams for seagrass surveys, benthic surveys, aquatic resources delineations
• A broad knowledge of Florida’s marine environment and species.
• A broad knowledge of Florida’s flora and/or fauna.
• Previous experience in preparation of UMAM analysis
• Previous experience scoping and producing environmental permits for Maritime projects.
• Ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary technical teams to minimize impacts on natural resources and effectively incorporate into overall project schedule.
• Strong background in NEPA and state‑level environmental reviews, including environmental impact statements (EIS), environmental assessments (EA), FDOT PD&Es
• Exceptional and demonstrated technical writing ability. Experience drafting technical documents such as scientific papers, survey findings reports, compliance documentation, or similar required.
• Good…