Natural Resources Scientist

~ Established in 1980, Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. is an innovative employee-owned consulting firm focused in three practice areas: water, restoration, and sustainable development. ~

Herrera’s interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and planners provide scientifically defensible and realistic solutions to complex resource challenges facing municipalities, utilities, government agencies, Tribes, non-profits, and businesses. Herrera’s philosophy is to integrate protection of environmental, cultural, and economic values into all of our projects.

Position Overview

Herrera seeks an entry to mid-level natural resources scientist with a strong work ethic for our Northwest Washington team. Herrera currently has offices in Bellingham, Seattle, Olympia, and Portland.

• Responsibilities
   
  You will work closely with senior staff and project managers to provide support on projects involving environmentally critical areas analysis and reporting, mitigation planning and reporting, and environmental permitting.
• You will also integrate wetland biology, riparian/stream ecology, and hydrology to assess habitat conditions, characterize environmental impacts, and participate in designing innovative restoration and mitigation solutions for wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat projects.
• You will perform biological studies (wetland assessment, monitoring, and delineations; habitat characterization; shoreline assessment and surveys; and biological assessments for threatened and endangered species), and related research and field work. 

Qualifications

Applicant must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related science field.
• 2-5 years relevant experience in the Pacific Northwest, Washington state specifically.
• Technical writing skills.
• Ability to identify common vegetation and wildlife species of the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience in vegetation monitoring and reporting.
• Experience in delineating wetlands and streams.
• Experience with environmental permits and approvals (i.e., SEPA, NEPA, ESA, 404/401, HPAs).
• Ability to drive vehicles on a variety of road surfaces and navigate by foot over rough terrain.
• Ability to perform field work in a variety of terrain and weather conditions, and to carry required equipment. 

Additional qualifications sought:

• University of Washington Wetland Science and Management Certificate.
• Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) certification through the Society of Wetland Scientists.
• Experience in preparing planting plans, schedules, details, and specifications.
• Experience in related fields such as wildlife, fisheries, or water quality.
• Experience with GIS software.
• Experience with GPS units used for data collection in the field.
• Experience installing field monitoring equipment.
• Other specific trainings (e.g., wetland and stream delineation, wetland rating, and calculating credits and debits for compensatory mitigation) and professional organization affiliations should be noted in the applicant’s resumé and/or cover letter.
• Successful completion of the WSDOT BA author training.
• This position requires field and research skills, knowledge of aquatic permitting requirements, ability to perform a variety of analyses in the office, and preparation of reports.
• Experience writing biological evaluations/assessments is a plus. 
• This position requires excellent writing and communication skills, ability to work well both within project teams and autonomously, understanding of current guidance protocols (e.g., wetland delineations and ratings), and an understanding of local, state, and federal regulations for projects affecting wetlands, streams, shorelines, and wildlife.
• Periodic travel to project sites throughout the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere in the western US may be required.