Ecologist III - Field at Metro Consulting Associates LLC – Plymouth, Michigan

The Ecologist III is a senior-level, field-focused Wetland Ecologist responsible for conducting advanced ecological field investigations and supporting regulatory compliance efforts for complex environmental projects. This position spends the majority of time performing hands-on field work, including wetland delineations, ecological surveys, monitoring, and compliance inspections, with supporting office-based responsibilities related to data analysis, reporting, permitting, and coordination.

The Ecologist III serves as a technical resource to project teams, clients, and regulatory agencies and plays a key role on highly technical projects involving multiple layers of regulatory review and approval.

Duties & Responsibilities

Primary Field Responsibilities (Approximately 75–80%)

• Team lead in charge of completing wetland/waters assessments and delineations according to the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineations Manual and applicable regional supplements.
• Perform wetland inventories, functional assessments, and wetland monitoring.
• Conduct ecological surveys, such as vegetation assessments, rare species habitat assessments, stream assessments, tree surveys, and environmental compliance.
• Participate in threatened and endangered species surveys and related best management practices (BMP) and/or compliance activities.
• Perform construction and compliance monitoring including field inspections and documentation.
• Collect, record, and maintain accurate field notes, GPS data, maps, photographs, and logs.
• Evaluate natural resources and identify potential environmental constraints or compliance issues in the field.
• Travel regularly to project sites and work outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions.
• Support and mentor junior field staff during field investigations and monitoring activities.

Secondary Office / Technical Support Responsibilities (Approximately 20–25%)

• Prepare and/or review technical reports, including wetland/waters delineations, stream assessments, ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and monitoring reports.
• Assist with preparation of wetland restoration plans.
• Prepare Biological Assessments and develop avoidance, minimization, or mitigation strategies for sensitive species and regulated habitats.
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulatory agencies regarding technical findings and permitting requirements.
• Provide technical input to support permitting and regulatory compliance under USACE, and different Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (EGLE) state regulations.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of data tables, figures, maps, and documentation related to ecological work.
• Support project profitability through coordination with Project Managers and efficient task execution.
• Provide input to improve ecological quality control processes and identify training or resource needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, or related field and/or equivalent experience
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) or seasoned wetland delineator.
• Have received formal wetland delineation training (certificate of completion required).
• Proven leadership skills, and experience as a team leader.
• Minimum 10–15 years of applicable experience, with a minimum 3-5 years of experience conducting wetland delineations.
• Strong working knowledge of the USACE wetland 1987 delineation methodology, and the applicable regional supplements, including atypical situations.
• Experienced with native and invasive plant identification within Michigan and the Great Lakes Region.
• Knowledge of federal (Section 404 and 401 Permitting) and state (Michigan and Indiana) wetland regulations and permitting.
• Experienced with the taxonomically identification of flora and fauna common to the Midwest, specifically to Michigan.
• Familiar with federal and state threatened and endangered species regulations.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under tight deadlines as well as balance multiple on-going projects at one time.
• Strong planning, organization, preparation, and execution capabilities.
• Resourceful, action-oriented, with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites and the corporate office
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical teams
• Experience with GPS units and related software (ESRI, Pathfinder Office, etc.)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel