About the position
WSP is seeking a Lead Professional, Biology to join their team in New York. This role provides high-level technical assistance and guidance for collecting, identifying, compiling, and analyzing observational and spatial data related to various species and environmental factors. The position supports environmental work and permitting projects, ensuring accurate documentation, impact assessment, and compliance with laws and regulations. The Lead Professional will assist project leadership with environmental impact assessment, mitigation strategy development, permitting, and restoration activities, maintaining high-quality standards.
Responsibilities
• Provide guidance with data collection efforts for identifying and compiling observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, wetland, wildlife, marine, terrestrial, botanical, and/or avian species, as well as biological/environmental data from samples of air, soil, water, sludge, and other matrices for projects, investigations, and surveys.
• Analyze literature, data, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary biological impacts.
• Prepare and complete biological survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, CEQA, NEPA, etc.).
• Ensure regulatory requirement compliance pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record compliance and retention.
• Perform professional biology work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore mid- to larger-scale biological problems.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, field biology, and regulatory strategy, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
• Provide high level oversight for desk-based research, fieldwork, and/or laboratory work, including measurements, data interpretation, and computer modeling.
• Provide biological and environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
• Remain current in latest biology subject matter and techniques.
• Actively engage in business development and proposal writing.
• Seeks out opportunities to mentor junior staff.
• Actively participate in industry events (speaking, contributing to papers / articles, etc.).
• Pursues additional education and deepens technical skills.
• 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.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
• 10+ years of experience working as an environmental scientist and completing environmental surveys (e.g. vegetation, wetlands, wildlife, avian, marine), fieldwork, habitat and impact assessments, wetland delineations, and/or construction monitoring.
• Specific background and expertise should consist of strong environmental science / biology skills with specific ecosystem, habitat, and/or applicable species.
• Expertise and experience with relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable local/state/federal regulatory framework.
• Established experience coordinating with clients, regulatory permitting and resource agencies, and environmental technical staff required.
• Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing environmental technical reports, environmental impact evaluations, siting reports, and environmental permit applications and licensing, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations (e.g. commercial, energy, infrastructure, etc.).
• Familiarity to well-developed expertise conducting NEPA / State (northeast and Mid-Atlantic preferred) analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
• Highly capable self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Flexibility to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and ability to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Nice-to-haves
• Business development and proposal writing experience.
• Master’s Degree and/or professional licensure/certification.
• Staff leadership and project/program experience preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.
Benefits
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Disability coverage
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation (or other personal time)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.