Consulting Associate, Biologist

Overview Kickstart your environmental consulting career with hands‑on field experience and real‑world impact from day one. ERM is seeking a motivated Consulting Associate, Biologist to join our growing Capital Project Delivery (CPD) team in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is a unique opportunity for an early‑career professional to contribute directly to impactful environmental projects across renewable energy, oil and gas, power, and technology sectors. Key Responsibilities Support environmental permitting, due diligence, and impact assessments that enable responsible project development. Identify and protect wetlands, waterways, and sensitive habitats. Deliver high‑quality field data and technical insights that inform regulatory and client decisions. Help shape sustainable infrastructure projects across the Midwest and southeastern US. Build expertise across multiple sectors, setting the stage for advancement in technical or project management career paths. Perform wetland delineations using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manuals (1987 and 1989) and Regional Supplements. Provide technical analyses, contributing within your specialization and supporting multidisciplinary work. Support a wide range of projects including NEPA environmental assessments, RTE habitat assessments, WOTUS delineations, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, and related documentation. Conduct field surveys, collect and organize field data, perform research/literature reviews, and prepare technical reports and client recommendations. Assist in developing project‑specific compliance management plans aligned with federal, state, and local regulations. Perform multi‑media permitting and compliance documentation with agencies including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and state/local agencies. Work within quality, budget, and schedule expectations while developing foundational project‑management knowledge. Support ERM Partners‑in‑Charge and Project Managers in delivering high‑quality client outcomes. Collaborate as an integral member of the Impact Assessment team to support broader team objectives. Qualifications BS in environmental science, biology, natural resources, or related discipline; or equivalent experience. Recent graduate to 1+ years of relevant environmental experience or professional internships. Familiarity with leading field survey techniques and WOTUS delineations, including working knowledge of sub‑meter accuracy GPS technologies and digital data collection platforms such as ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, and/or Bio App. Familiarity completing Hydrologic Determination Data Sheets and Stream Quantification Tool. Experience conducting Hydrologic Determinations with TDEC and Jurisdictional Determination with USACE. Strong commitment to safety. Willingness and desire to support field assignments between 50% and 80% of the time during the field season (April to October). Working knowledge of field techniques for plant identification and their facultative rating, the 50/20 rule, soil sampling, hydric soil identification using the most current version of the NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils, and wetland hydrology indicators is required. Detail‑oriented with excellent critical‑thinking and troubleshooting/problem‑solving skills. Effective written/verbal communication and strong organization/analytical skills. Experience recording/writing detailed technical data and reports and building tables and spreadsheets (including tabulation and manipulation of data). Ability to engage in multifaceted and dynamic situations and collaborate with a team of experts across the project lifecycle. Ability to multi‑task, maintain flexibility, and work independently with minimal supervision. Demonstrated attributes to become a strong consultant: team player, eagerness to learn and grow, self‑starter who takes initiative, versatile, and service‑oriented mentality. Highly organized with keen attention to detail while maintaining a broader project perspective. High level proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. Driver's License required. Ability to operate a company vehicle due to frequent travel to client locations across a large geographical area. Ability to pass pre‑hire background check and drug test. Ability to tolerate summer and winter weather conditions while working in the field. Ability to walk long distances in potentially rough terrain. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. Position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship. Preferred Qualifications Experience and/or interest in performing protected species assessments. Experience using federal and state databases to research rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species. Interest in managing environmental data and writing technical reports to support land development projects. Practical Requirements Valid driver's license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle. Pass pre‑hire background check and drug test. Physical ability to tolerate summer and winter weather conditions, walk long distances on rough terrain, and lift up to 40 lbs. EEO Statement ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Application Instructions Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. All personal information will be handled confidentially and in compliance with data protection laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Environmental Resources Management (ERM)