Ecologist/Wetland Scientist

Founded in 1981, AKRF is an award-winning consulting firm with 400 professionals bringing the value of strategic thinking to our land development, transportation, energy, and water clients. We serve our clients through a commitment to technical excellence across our portfolio of professional services, while always acting with integrity and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Offices are located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut, and the company completes projects around the country.

Professionals join and remain at AKRF for our corporate-casual environment that values flexible work schedules and locations, and balances award-winning planning, engineering, and environmental projects with social impact initiatives, charitable giving, and plenty of fun and games. Our cookie exchanges and ice cream socials are quite the treat.

Our energy sector practice specializes in multimedia licensing, design, and compliance services for infrastructure development projects, including transmission and distribution facilities, offshore wind projects, battery energy storage systems, solar and fuel cell projects, conventional power plants, nuclear plants, and natural gas pipelines.

The Energy Practice at AKRF is seeking an Ecologist/Wetland Scientist to continue investing in the growth and success of our energy practice. The position is located in our office in the Ithaca area, New York.

Job Responsibilities

• Working knowledge of wetland delineation, stream assessments, habitat evaluation procedures, floodplain mapping, and the ability to conduct hydrologic analyses and wetland functional assessments.
• Conducting field surveys and data collection efforts such as wetland delineations, habitat surveys, rare species surveys, plant community surveys, etc.
• Preparing scientific reports, permit application documents, environmental impact assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Management of teams of scientists performing field surveys and data collection and coordinating the work of other project team members.
• Development of Construction SWPPP documents and knowledge of SWPPP inspections requirements and procedures
• Review and interpret land development and environmental regulations, e.g., NYSDEC/NJDEP/PADEP environmental regulations, etc.
• Collect, identify, and compile environmental data from multiple sources for project-related research, surveys, and reports and applications.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine environmental site impact, land use and other site characteristics.
• Prepare visualizations such as tables, charts, models, infographics, and figures for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Assist with preparing land use development and state energy facility siting applications.
• Participate in public involvement and consensus-building meetings in support of client project work.
• Prepare drafts of technical memos, meeting minutes, transmittals, presentations, and other written materials summarizing research with findings and conclusions.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of facts and data obtained during field and site investigations
• Assist with reading, interpreting, composing, and reviewing Planning Reports, Categorical Exclusions, EA’s, EISs, and other technical documents.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.

Essential Requirements

• Candidates must have a minimum of 3 to 5 years (energy sector preferred) of directly applicable ecological experience specific to wetland delineation, stream assessments, habitat evaluation, construction and SWPPP inspections and associated environmental permitting.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in forestry, botany, biology, natural resources, or related field is required for this position.
• Direct experience with various state utility siting requirements, USACE permitting requirements, and NJDEP LRP, NYSDEC, and PaDEP environmental permitting programs is required.
• Willingness and physical ability to travel and hike 3 to 5 miles in rough terrain with field gear
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Fostering and maintaining excellent working relationships with our clients, agency personnel, local stakeholders, and the public
• Ability to take ownership of job responsibilities and see them through completion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft business software including Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to be flexible, learn quickly, and work as part of a project team.
• Familiarity with computer aided drafting and Geographic Information System software is a plus.
• Position will entail occasional field work, with the potential for overnight travel ranging from several days to a week.
• A valid driver’s license

What AKRF Is Offering

We provide employees with a benefit package that reflects our respect for your workplace contributions, professional goals, and personal priorities. The benefits program at AKRF includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick time
• Flexible work schedules and locations
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Additional Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Training and professional development courses
• Opportunities for community outreach through internal networks
• Charitable donation match
• Transit/parking program

Compensation will range from $75K-$85K, commensurate with experience.

AKRF enforces a policy of equal employment opportunity in our daily operations. The firm has a demonstrated history of hiring, training, developing, promoting and retaining minority group members and women. All employment-related decisions are based solely on relevant criteria and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, caregiver status, military/veteran status or citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.