Principal Consultant, Wetland Delineator/Botanist - Northern California

Managing Consultant, Wetland Delineator/Botanist

Step into a role where your ecological expertise shapes the future of renewable energy infrastructure across Northern California. As a leader in field-based environmental work, you'll guide teams, influence project strategy, and ensure that critical natural resources are assessed and protected with precision and integrity. If you're looking for a role where technical excellence meets meaningful environmental impact, this is your next step.

At ERM, our work directly supports the development of responsible power and renewable energy projects across Northern California. As a Managing Consultant, Wetland Delineator/Botanist, you'll play a key role in providing scientifically rigorous field data, regulatory insight, and ecological expertise that inform major infrastructure decisions. Your leadership will ensure that projects meet environmental standards while advancing sustainable progress. This a casual, part-time role.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead and execute high-quality wetland delineations, rare plant surveys, and vegetation mapping that influence permitting and project viability.
• Serve as a trusted technical expert—producing defensible reports, overseeing QA/QC, and guiding teams through complex field and regulatory challenges.
• Represent ERM in conversations with clients and agencies, strengthening relationships and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Mentor junior staff, shaping the next generation of field scientists.
• Contribute to business development through proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates that position ERM for future success.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field; or equivalent years of relevant field experience.
• Minimum of five (5) field seasons conducting wetland delineations using the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and applicable Regional Supplements.
• Familiarity with Army Corps Regional Supplements for Western Mountains, Valleys & Coast, and the Arid West.
• Expertise with sub-meter GPS, ESRI Field Map s, and map interpretation (NWI, USGS, aerial imagery).
• Strong communication, organizational skills, and collaborative mindset.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions and hike challenging terrain with equipment.
• Willingness to work weekends, remain on-call, and travel with frequent overnight stays.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• Demonstrated adaptability, accountability, and composure in demanding field and regulatory environments.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with clients, agencies, and internal teams.
• Commitment to mentoring and knowledge-sharing within the team.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a natural science field.
• Prior experience preparing technical reports, jurisdictional determinations, and mitigation plans.
• Experience implementing Regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods.
• Prior experience supporting permit applications and regulatory coordination (USACE, CDFW, EPA).

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee aquatic resource delineations using ESRI Field Maps and sub-meter GPS collection.
• Conduct and supervise rare plant surveys, vegetation community mapping, and habitat assessments.
• Delineate wetlands per the 1987 Corps Manual and relevant Regional Supplements.
• Delineate Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) using applicable guidelines.
• Implement Regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods.
• Complete data entry and data review using tools such as Survey123, Wildnote, and ESRI apps.
• Prepare biotic reports, aquatic resource assessments, jurisdictional determinations, and mitigation plans.
• Lead technical review and QA/QC for fieldwork and reporting.
• Coordinate with clients and regulatory agencies; represent ERM in meetings and public forums.
• Support business development efforts through proposals, cost estimates, and project pursuits.
• Mentor junior staff and support development of training materials.
• Assist with permit application development as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

For the Managing Consultant, Wetland Delineator/Botanist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $94,990–$124,245 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

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.