Location: New Haven,CT, USA
Ecological Restoration | Natural Resources Specialist
Department: Water/Wastewater
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: New Haven, CT
Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 / year
Description
Creativity. Innovation. A desire to effect positive change. That's what it takes to work at Fuss & O'Neill - because that's what we do for the communities in which we work: we create, innovate, and design long-lasting improvements that improve quality of life. Quality of life is also important on the job, so we've prioritized work-life balance by offering flexible/remote work opportunities, part-time benefits, and generous PTO. We believe that each day is an opportunity to support one another, to support our clients, and to support our communities. If you feel the same, then you've found your future.
Fuss & O'Neill is currently seeking an Ecological Restoration / Natural Resources Specialist to join our growing ecological restoration and climate resilience practice in Connecticut and throughout the Northeast. This position will be within our Water and Natural Resources (WNR) practice and support the assessment, design, and permitting of restoration and climate adaptation projects in Connecticut and our other New England offices.
Our WNR practice specializes in riverine flood resilience and restoration, green stormwater infrastructure and drainage-related flood resilience, culvert replacement for resilience and aquatic organism passage, dam removal, stream and floodplain restoration, and coastal flood resilience and restoration. The WNR team is looking to expand and strengthen our ecological restoration and natural resources expertise to support these and related project types.
The ideal candidate for this position is a mid- to senior-level professional with strong mentoring skills and a sound knowledge base in one or more of the following: wetland science, delineation, and restoration; aquatic and/or terrestrial rare, threatened, and endangered species identification and surveys; stream geomorphology, hydrology, and hydraulics; stream channel and floodplain restoration; bank/shoreline stabilization; habitat and habitat connectivity assessment; invasive species management; environmental impact assessment (CEPA and NEPA); and state and federal (i.e., CTDEEP and US Army Corps of Engineers) environmental regulations and permitting.
Key Responsibilities
* Contribute to developing and growing an ecological restoration practice in CT
* Contribute to ecological restoration and resiliency/adaptation projects from concept to completion
* Conduct and/or support wetland delineations and prepare state and federal environmental permit applications for projects in Connecticut
* Experience delineating wetlands and an understanding of the applicable wetland related regulations and delineation protocols in other New England states is a plus
* Have experience delineating wetlands and other regulated resources according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplement
* Assess wildlife habitat, functions, values, and biodiversity in wetland systems
* Develop site maps and wetland/site impact plans in ArcGIS Pro and/or AutoCAD Civil 3D
* Identify invasive species at project sites and develop invasive species management plans
* Provide research, calculations, graphics, technical summaries, etc. for feasibility assessments and engineering design reports
* Present field data and analyses at public meetings and client-facing project check-ins
* Work efficiently and safely alone or with field teams and participate in other tasks, such as reporting, permitting support, and communication with project management, clients, and regulators
* Mentor junior staff toward independence in wetland delineation and natural resource assessment
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental science, ecology, biology, water resources, restoration or related field
* Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or other natural resource/restoration certifications strongly preferred
* Minimum of 5+ years' work experience or an equivalent combination of education (e.g., advanced degree) and experience.
* Strong understanding of wetland hydrology, ecology, and plant identification
* Familiarity with process-based ecological restoration
* Inland and coastal resource delineations pursuant to the requirements of CT State regulations, as well as Section 404/401 of the Federal Clean Water Act
* Knowledge of state and federal regulations and permitting processes
* Experience preparing state and federal (CEPA and NEPA) environmental impact assessment documents a plus
* Experience with stream hydrology/hydraulics (H&H) and H&H modelling software a plus
* Commitment to collaborative problem-solving, innovation, and high-quality work products
* Interacting and communicating effectively with multi-disciplinary teams, regulators, and/or clients
Strong written and verbal communication and public speaking skills
Why You'll Love Working with Us
* Schedule Flexibility: Customize your work schedule to fit your life.
* Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits to keep you and your family healthy.
* Continuous Learning: Access to online courses, conferences, and learning materials to fuel your professional growth.
* Paid Time Off: Take the time you need to recharge with our generous paid time off policy.
* Career Advancement: Clear paths for promotions and the opportunity to take on new challenges.
* Fun Team Culture: Regular team-building activities, happy hours, and company outings.
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
All offers are contingent upon a successful criminal background check. Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Fuss & O'Neill participates in the Federal e-Verify program.
This position may report to either the New Haven, CT or Hartford, CT office.