Environmental Scientist

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB's Orlando, FL office is looking for an Environmental Scientist to join our growing Environmental Team working to deliver projects for our transportation, energy, and land development clients. The ideal candidate will have previous experience with development of state Water Management District and USACE Permitting, conducting natural resource field delineations such as wetland and waters delineation, protected species surveys, and project environmental compliance monitoring.

Responsibilities

Prepare natural resource studies and technical reports following field efforts
• Assist with federal, state, and local environmental permit applications
• Conduct environmental monitoring during project construction to ensure permit compliance and prepare inspection reports.
• Act as a biological monitor on-site during construction to prevent impacts to rare, threatened, and endangered species in accordance with permit conditions and best management practices.
• Assist with natural resource surveys that may include wetland delineations, soil mapping, wildlife habitat evaluations, and rare species surveys.
• Conducted monitoring for permit compliance include wetland and water quality monitoring.
• Uses field instruments to measure environmental parameters in samples (e.g., organic vapors, pH, conductivity, oxygen reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, turbidity).
• Documents field activities through electronic data collection applications, field book entries, data collection forms, GPS receivers, and photographs.
• May provide technical guidance to or supervise junior team members. May assign tasks to and coordinate work with junior team members.

Skills and Attributes

• Working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures, and methodologies in environmental science
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal communication and oral presentation skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional attention to details, planning and quality
• Highly motivated and team oriented with strong capability to motivate others
• Must demonstrate superior ability in collaborative problem-solving with stakeholders, clients, and colleagues
• Experience in environmental construction monitoring and interface with contractors
• Experience in identifying plant species, soils, and natural communities is a plus
• Knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations is plus
• Stormwater Inspection experience is a plus
• General understanding of PD&E and NEPA policies and procedures for FDOT, FAA, and other transportation agencies is a plus

Minimum Qualifications

• 1-3 years of fieldwork experience in natural habitats
• BS in a natural science-related field (e.g., Environmental Science, Biology, Landscape Architecture, Fisheries and Wildlife, Ecology, Natural Resources) (a master's degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience)
• Experience using industry-standard software equipment (ESRI-GIS) ArcPro.
• Requires ability to work in a busy office environment with significant computer use.
• Frequent travel (25-50%) often required oversight stays to locations with various weather conditions (including excessive heat and rain).
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT), and Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent, or other professional certification is plus.
• Valid driver's license

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for VHB in the U.S. without employer sponsorship either now or in the future.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us!

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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