Environmental Scientist - Marine Infrastructure

ESA is seeking an Environmental Scientist for Marine Infrastructure with 2+ years of experience. This position will support project environmental reviews and compliance, with a focus on office-based work such as database and literature review, technical writing, permitting, and reporting. Project work will be interdisciplinary and varied, including marine renewable energy, undersea cables, environmental permitting, habitat restoration, climate change initiatives, among others. This position will gain an intimate knowledge of environmental permitting and how the federal, state, and local environmental regulatory processes work in practice.

This is a full-time salaried, overtime-exempt role with hybrid office expectations of 2+ days per week from our Seattle ESA Office. This role may involve some travel and field work as needed for in-person team collaborations and site visits as-needed. 

Who You Are 

This position would support project environmental reviews and compliance, with a focus on office-based work such as database and literature review, technical writing, permitting, and reporting. Project work will be interdisciplinary and varied, including marine renewable energy, undersea cables, environmental permitting, habitat restoration, climate change initiatives, among others. This position will gain an intimate knowledge of environmental permitting and how the federal, state, and local environmental regulatory processes work in practice.

A successful applicant for this position will be flexible and willing to help the project team with wide ranging tasks such as technical report writing and editing. This is primarily a desktop position with occasional fieldwork. Work arrangements and hours are flexible, based on the teams’ and projects’ needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in marine affairs, biology, environmental science, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of current environmental regulations.
• A self-start with a positive attitude and ability to learn on the job.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Excellent research skills to find needed information on issues such as species present in an area, their natural history, or county-specific tax parcel information.
• Strong organizational skills required to work on multiple projects concurrently.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground in a variety of environments, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required.
• You possess a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road and the ability to trailer and operate boats under 25 ft.

What You Will Do for ESA

As a key member of the team, the employee in this role will be responsible for a full range of activities, including:

• Managing projects involving local, state, and federal regulatory permit applications.
• Conducting desktop analysis of biological resources and preparation of Biological Assessments for submittal to the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Supporting and/or managing the development of local, state, and federal permit applications, project descriptions to match the requirements of a review agency, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation.
• Writing technical reports that meet client and regulatory agency standards.
• Coordinating and consulting with regulators and relevant stakeholders.
• Conducting fieldwork, whether it be wetland delineations, site visits, or environmental monitoring (e.g., water quality).
• Fostering current client relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• You will participate in compliance monitoring and reporting activities for on-going construction projects requiring working near heavy equipment.
• Performing other duties and ad-hoc tasks as needed.

What’s Special About Our Team

Our Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout California. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. 

We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. To read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed, check out this link: https://esassoc.com/projects/ 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.