Environmental Scientist I

Environmental Scientist I

This position assists with a variety of projects in the Environmental Services Group but will focus especially on assisting with tasks specifically related to wetland mitigation bank development and monitoring, aquatic resource delineation, WCA permitting, wetland functional assessments, floristic quality assessments, NRCS wetland determinations, and soils investigations. Duties will include assisting our Environmental Services staff and our clients with the development and review of wetland mitigation plans, permitting, regulatory compliance, and other natural resource/environmental activities, as needed. This role has significant growth opportunity with a growing practice within the organization.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Prepares a variety of documents including wetland mitigation bank plans, aquatic resource delineation reports, Clean Water Act and WCA permit applications, wetland mitigation site monitoring reports, wetland determinations.
• Conducts ecology fieldwork including soils investigations, wetland/aquatic resource delineations, scope and effect determinations, floristic surveys, biological surveys, and wetland mitigation site monitoring.
• Stays current with regulatory policies associated with the Clean Water Act, conservation provisions of the USDA Farm Bill and 1985 Food Security Act, the MN Wetland Conservation Act, floodplain management, public waters law, and local government requirements and approvals.
• Acts as owner's representative between contractors, local, state and federal agencies.
• Works collaboratively with team and provides opportunities for team mentorship.
• Travel within MN, eastern SD, and southern ND required. Additional out of state travel may be required (e.g., IA, CO).
• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences/Studies or similar field.
• Minimum 3 or more years of relevant experience.
• Basic Plant Identification.
• Experience using GIS.
• Experience with MN, ND, SD and Federal wetland impact regulations.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in biology, Ecology, or Environmental Science/Studies.
• Aquatic resources delineation experience and/or Certified MWPCA wetland delineator.
• Experience with MEPA/NEPA.
• Strong GIS skills - Some Project Management experience also welcomed!

Benefits:

We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401K options. We offer medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. We recognize the importance of a work/ life balance and offer company- paid holidays, PTO based on years of experience, paid parental leave. We encourage growth and development of our employees through tuition assistance, professional certification reimbursement and talent development programs. We also offer other benefits including wellness programs, flexible spending benefits, dependent care account, employee assistance program, and more! For Minnesota residents: The pay range for this position is $70,800 - $97,400 (with flexibility DOQ). The range displayed on this job posting reflects salaries for the position based in our Minnesota locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by specific work location and additional factors, including education, experience, credentials, and job-related skills. In addition to base pay, certain positions at Vistal and subsidiaries are eligible for participation in our incentive compensation programs.