Project Ecologist

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!

At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.

Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.

Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.

Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?

Verdantas is seeking an experienced Staff Ecologist to join our Environmental team in Ohio. This position can be based in Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Columbus, Cincinnati, or another Ohio office and is ideal for an environmental professional with 4 to 7 years of experience who is ready to independently perform ecological fieldwork, contribute to natural resource assessments and permitting, and support the successful delivery of multidisciplinary projects.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct wetland delineations, stream assessments, habitat evaluations, and other ecological field studies with limited supervision.
• Identify and characterize wetlands, streams, vegetation communities, and sensitive environmental resources.
• Collect, manage, and interpret field data using GPS and GIS-based applications while maintaining accurate project documentation.
• Complete USACE wetland data forms, ORAM, QHEI, HHEI, and related ecological assessments.
• Prepare technical reports, environmental documentation, permit applications, and supporting project deliverables.
• Support and coordinate environmental permitting with USACE, OEPA, ODNR, USFWS, and other regulatory agencies.
• Collaborate with ecologists, scientists, engineers, and project managers, providing technical input on multidisciplinary projects.
• Plan and perform fieldwork throughout Ohio and surrounding states, including occasional overnight travel, while helping coordinate field schedules and project needs.

What You Bring: ·

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
• 4 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in ecological consulting, natural resources, environmental permitting, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting wetland delineations, ecological field studies, plant identification, and stream or habitat assessments.
• Working knowledge of USACE wetland delineation methodologies and federal, state, and local environmental permitting requirements.
• Proficiency with GPS, GIS, and mobile field data collection tools, with the ability to organize and interpret field information.
• Strong communication, organization, technical writing, and problem-solving skills, with experience preparing client-ready documentation.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to perform fieldwork in varying terrain and weather conditions. · Willingness to travel and work extended field hours during peak field seasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Environmental consulting experience supporting infrastructure, land development, energy, or natural resource projects.
• Experience coordinating field activities, supporting project schedules and budgets, or mentoring junior staff.
• Strong knowledge of Midwest plant identification, wetland ecology, soils, and aquatic resources.
• Experience with ArcGIS, Field Maps, Survey123, or similar geospatial and field data collection applications.
• Applied experience with ORAM, QHEI, HHEI, USACE wetland delineation procedures, and environmental permit application development.

Grow Your Career with Verdantas

At Verdantas, you will contribute your established ecological field and technical expertise to projects throughout Ohio and the Midwest. You will have opportunities to expand your role in environmental permitting, client and regulatory coordination, project delivery, and mentorship while continuing to grow toward increased technical and project leadership responsibilities. ntation

Salary Range:

The anticipated hourly rate for this position is $35.00 - $40.00 per hour. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including experience, education, qualifications, skill set, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance - regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.

Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexualorientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet