Applied Science Project Manager

Atkins has been providing infrastructure planning, engineering, construction, environmental consulting, urban planning, architecture, and program management services to public and private clients across the United States for more than 50 years. Globally, Atkins is the largest UK-based engineering and design consultancy and the world's 11th largest design firm with nearly 18,000 employees worldwide. We have the depth and breadth of expertise to respond to the most technically challenging and time-critical infrastructure projects and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy.

Position Overview:

Project Description:

The Missouri River, the nation's longest, travels over 2,300 miles from Three Forks, Montana, to join the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri. Over the years, the USACE has been charged by Congress to protect banks, construct navigation channels and build flood risk management structures (i.e., levees and dams) on the Missouri River to provide social and economic benefits to the nation. Some of these development activities on the Missouri River have come at the expense of the river's native fish and wildlife.

Activities to restore some of the Missouri River ecosystem's natural form and function are under way and will continue for several years. Although the river will never be brought back to its wild, untamed state, its ecosystem can be revitalized for the benefit of all the basin's inhabitants. The USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in partnership with Tribal nations, states and other agencies, continue working together to develop and implement recovery actions.

The FWS developed a Biological Opinion to protect the three threatened and endangered species (interior least tern, piping plover, and pallid sturgeon) that depend on the Missouri River; in response, the USACE (Omaha and Kansas City Districts) is implementing the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) to mitigate losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, recover federally listed species, and to restore the ecosystem to prevent further declines of other native species, while seeking balance with social, economic, and cultural values for future generations. The recovery program was authorized by the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 and is rooted in sound science, public involvement and the application of adaptive management.

Position Description:

Atkins seeks an energetic, highly motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter to join our Yankton, South Dakota staff as an Applied Science Project Manager. In this role you will be working on the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP), specifically the Integrated Science Program (ISP) as a contractor to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Responsibilities:

Typical duties and responsibilities of this position include:

• Provide general support for the ISP; this duty includes developing/maintain databases to track ISP tasks and activities, and tracking of both administrative (e.g., scopes of work, project schedules, and budgets, work plans, etc.) and applied science (e.g., conceptual models, performance measures [PMs], predictive models, etc.) components of the ISP.
• Assist with the implementation and coordination of a basin-wide monitoring and assessment program; this includes not only assistance with coordination of existing monitoring and research, but also help with development of a comprehensive system-wide monitoring plan for the Missouri River Basin within an adaptive management framework. Duties also include technical assistance with development of conceptual models, PMs, and predictive/modeling tools and integration of these tools into the assessment process.
• Conduct, compile and maintain historical review of basin-wide monitoring efforts.
• Assist with ISP report preparation including compilation, formatting, editing, coordination of technical and public reviews, and dissemination; also includes tracking the interface of ISP reports with other MRRP reports.
• Assist with development of protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for applied science processes; examples include development of processes for assessment, reporting, and peer review and standardization of conceptual models, PMs and predictive and assessment tools.
• Assist with development of a communication strategy for the ISP in order to better communicate scientific information related to the MRRP. This communication strategy includes newsletter development, creation of web-based project information factsheets, development of PowerPoint presentations/briefing materials etc.

Qualifications:

The appropriately qualified candidate will have the following core competencies and required experience:

• B.S. (M.S. preferred) in Biology, Ecology, Riverine Science, Environmental Science or a related field;
• 3 to 5 years of experience working in the environmental field;
• Knowledge of ecosystem restoration science;
• Good organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work independently;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adjust quickly to changing work priorities;
• Excellent technical writing and oral communications skills;
• Ability to synthesize large quantities of information and generate concise, coherent work products;
• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office programs, particularly Access and Excel.

Compensation: Atkins offers its employees a robust rewards package which includes: a competitive salary; a broad benefits package including medical/prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, legal, hospitalization and other valuable voluntary options; generous time-off programs; flexible work schedules; 401(k) with employer match; professional and career development opportunities through our corporate university, as well as a highly-regarded tuition reimbursement program; and an unmatched culture focused on client-service, quality, and tireless pursuit of excellence in all we do.

To Apply:

Please contact Tom St Clair (904-232-1774) or Eliza Hines (904-616-2011).

Atkins is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace.