Wetland Scientist/ NJ Permitting Specialist

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is actively seeking an experienced, exceptionally talented Wetland Scientist with New Jersey Permitting experience in the AECOM Conshohocken, Pennsylvania office, however, other office locations may be considered.  The successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary collaborative environment that provides career growth opportunities within AECOM’s Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) Mid-Atlantic Region Team.  This position will include performing wetland/stream delineations, report writing, and permitting application preparation and agency coordination for projects in New Jersey and other mid-Atlantic states.   Experience with invasive and rare, threatened and endangered (T&E) species surveys, as well as wetland mitigation and/or monitoring experience will also be considered as part of this role.  The EPP Mid-Atlantic team largely works on Projects in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Leading/originating Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404/401 permitting and impact assessment for federal, state, and local permits, including application preparation and coordination with the clients and reviewing agencies.
• Conducting detail and/or technical review of ecological assessment documents, CWA Section 404/401 permitting, or other associated industry reports.
• Prepare permit applications related to New Jersey and federal regulations related to Section 401/404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 7 Endangered Species Act, NJ Waterfront Development Permits, NJ Coastal Area Facility Review Act Permits, NJ 401 Water Quality Certification (Including the Meadowlands), NJ Freshwater Wetlands and Flood Hazard Permits, NJ permits/authorizations for impacts in the Pinelands area, NJPDES Stormwater Construction Permits, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan applications, and others.
• Assist with task management according to approved scopes of work and delivering quality reports on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinating and leading conversations with various governmental agencies (federal/state/local).
• Coordinating with AECOM teams such as cultural resources, T&E species experts, civil engineers, subcontractors, and other project support teams.
• Serving as a technical lead for environmental, biological, permitting and other impact assessments for projects located in NJ and other states.
• Leading stream, wetland, wildlife habitat field assessments and other surveys by supporting and training junior staff.
• Assisting Senior Managers with business development activities, including proposals, pre-qualifications, and relationship building with clients and prospective clients.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Biology, or related field + 4 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Valid Driver’s License and as a condition of employment must be able to pass AECOM’s Motor Vehicle Records review.
• Due to the nature of work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years of performing wetland delineation and stream assessment in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Strong and proven experience with NJ environmental and ecological permits and agency coordination.
• ORAM, HHEI, QHEI certificate of training or experience/knowledge to lead these assessments in the field.
• PWS or other relevant certification.
• Proficiency in permit application preparation experience in NJ and other mid-Atlantic states (i.e., CWA Section 401/404 permits), supporting data collection and review, and preparation of scientific documents including wetland delineations, wetland mitigation, stream assessments, technical reports.
• Experience in performing ecological assessments for natural gas, electric utilities, and/or renewables industries.
• Technical writing experience specifically for siting studies, and/or FERC resource reports, and/or NEPA analysis preferred.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) background and/or knowledge.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and technical writing.
• Driver’s license with trailer certification; boat transportation/maintenance experience.
• Safety training (i.e., OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hours).
• High degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as in collaborative team environment.
• Ability to lead and manage field and permitting/ impact assessment teams.
• Excellent communication skills, including both oral and written (writing sample may be required).

Additional Information

• Relocation is not available for this position.
• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
• The position will require fieldwork, and the candidate must be able to travel (including overnight).

Offered rate of compensation (Pennsylvania) will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. The salary range for this position is $85,000- $110,000.

AECOM is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, U.S and global well-being programs, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.