On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner

This Opportunity

At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be part of future-focused business objectives that support our diverse client base. Ethical environmental systems and sound project delivery are foundational to shaping a sustainable future. Through environmental consulting, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, we help clients understand project impacts and meet regulatory requirements.

Our Planning & Environment group is seeking an On-Call Field Biologist / Environmental Planner based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or El Paso, Texas. This position will support a diverse range of environmental planning, biological field survey, permitting, and compliance projects across the Desert Southwest.

Your Impact

Design 

• Conduct biological field surveys, habitat assessments, desktop reviews, and environmental data collection under appropriate supervision.
• Identify plants, wildlife, and sensitive habitats characteristic of the Desert Southwest.
• Support surveys for special-status species, including endangered plants and avian species.
• Assist with environmental planning, permitting, impact assessments, construction monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to natural resource sections of environmental assessments, biological evaluations, technical memoranda, permit applications, and related environmental documents.
• Prepare accurate and defensible survey reports, technical memoranda, field documentation, and supporting materials.
• Maintain field notes, photographs, geographic data, species observations, project files, and tracking tools in accordance with project quality requirements.
• Coordinate field activities and project requirements with project managers, technical specialists, subcontractors, and agency or tribal representatives.
• Maintain awareness of applicable environmental regulations, agency guidance, survey protocols, and regulatory changes.
• Follow applicable health and safety requirements when working outdoors, traveling, and conducting work in remote locations.
• Perform other duties as required by project and business needs. 
• Up to 80% travel may be required, primarily to southeastern New Mexico, typically for field assignments lasting 2 to 6 days.
• Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes 
   

Collaborate

• Provide occasional guidance to junior staff or interns and support effective project delivery.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.  
• Prepare clear, accurate, and defensible technical memoranda, survey reports, environmental documentation, and supporting materials.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, agency guidance, survey protocols, and relevant rule changes.
• Other duties as required by business needs. 
   

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science (Botany, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Natural Resource Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 3 to 5 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species required.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework. 
• Proficient technical writing skills
• Proficient interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Proficiency identifying plants and wildlife of the Desert Southwest.
• Experience with discipline-specific software (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability and willingness to travel, work outdoors in remote locations, and maintain project-specific schedules that may extend beyond the typical workweek.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, resource management, environmental science, biology, or a related field
• Growing industry knowledge through participating in local professional practice organization
• Exposure to ArcGIS
• Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public  
• May participate in and conduct field delineation of wetlands and waters of the US or other field or permitting activities
• Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants
• Exposure to creating, editing, and analyzing information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to produce maps and spatial analysis for a variety of topic areas, including: natural resources, land use / land cover, ecotypes, habitat, etc.
• Familiarity with rules and regulations related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Clean Water Act; and state and local environmental rules and regulations and related reporting requirements (e.g., Environmental Assessments; Biological Assessments; Reclamation Plans; Pre-Construction Notifications; reclamation and restoration regulations)
• Eager to participate in land management to promote responsible, sustainable development of oil and gas projects, renewable energy infrastructure, roads and bridges, and more.

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