Forest and Conservation Worker jobs in Auburn, AL

Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) creates mitigation and conservation banks and provides environmental mitigation and habitat planning services to landowners, businesses, government agencies, and land trusts. Our established industry leaders excel in the field of wetland and endangered species mitigation services, to create a nationwide habitat mitigation company.

We are looking for an experienced Conservation Planner-Southeast Region to join our team in our Auburn office.

The Conservation Planner will assist in the reconnaissance, acquisition, development, and entitlement of mitigation projects (i.e., permittee responsible mitigation-PRM, mitigation banks, In-Lieu Fee programs-ILFs, and turn keys) in the Southeast U.S. The Planner will work closely with other disciplines within the office, consultants as well as with a variety of federal, state, and local resource agencies to achieve regional goals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the team to achieve safety, continuous improvement, ecological and business goals.
• Prepare and secure approval of Mitigation/Conservation Banking documents, including prospectus, banking Instrument and all technical documents, conservation easement, endowment, and credit releases.
• Manage project teams (internal staff and external consultants), with the ability to maintain clear communication, working relationships, and facilitate product development.
• Assist in project budget development, manage and track financial expenditures for the approved budget.
• Develop and maintain detailed project and task schedules, mitigation plans and supporting documents and manage the project to the approved timelines.
• Conduct or manage the development of mitigation documents for new and existing sites.
• Engage with regulatory agency staff, either independently or as part of the project management team, to solve complex project development issues.
• Identify areas of entitlement process improvement and engage in developing process solutions.
• Track and maintain project compliance including permits, contract, etc.
• Participate in discussions with non-profits, community members and other stake holders to assist in local relationships and project development.
• Assist in business and brand development through participation in client meetings and speaking engagements at technical conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Biology, Forestry, Landscape Architecture or related field
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• A minimum of 5 years experience in related field
• Strong project management experience
• Experience working in a team environment
• Prior history of managing contractors and/or consultants
• Strong experience with CEQA and NEPA, 404 permitting, mitigation planning or design
• Experience with technical writing
• Experience with giving presentations and public speaking events
• Biology/ecology, wetland delineation experience

Preferred Experience:

• Prior coordination experience with USACE
• CAD experience
• Experience with project management software such as MS Project, etc.
• Experience working with non-profits and other state and federal agencies
• Wetland/ESA survey experience
• Prior experience of project impacts and commonly requested mitigation of potential clients

The base salary range for this position is $79,600 - $119,400. Actual base salary is based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation