Biologist - Englewood, CO

For decades, CH2M HILL has been a global leader in global leader in engineering, consulting, design, program management, construction and operations, working on the most challenging and impactful projects around the world. Through these challenging projects, we develop our people — who transform complex and creative ideas into reality, every day. Join us and together we can work to build a sustainable world. We support you to reach your greatest career goals through continued professional development, a positive work life balance and undeniably cool engineering projects. Join employee-owned CH2M HILL and discover why our diverse team has been consistently ranked as one of the leading employers and repeatedly recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For”.

Environmental Jobs at CH2M HILL

Today, the importance of environmental stewardship is unprecedented. As businesses go “Green” and society becomes more proactive, your role inCH2M HILL’s Environmental Group provides opportunities to participate in projects that will protect the Earth’s natural resources. We help our clients in both government and industry markets safeguard and restore natural resources as cost-effectively as possible. Overall it is a monumental task, but with each day, we have the opportunity to limit our footprint. Ready? Let’s Get to Work.

Senior Biologist Careers - Englewood, CO

CH2M HILL’s Denver, Colorado office has an opportunity for a full time Senior Biologist. In this position you will have the opportunity to work on siting and permitting power and energy facilities (both traditional and renewable), as well as transportation and water projects. There may be a wide variety of project types that you will work on but the focus will likely be renewable and conventional energy generation, electric transmission, and pipelines. You will manage a team to evaluate project sites and conduct resource studies, develop permit applications, and complete regulatory requirements for projects including: environmental assessments and environmental impact statements; Threatened and Endangered Species assessments and Endangered Species Acts (ESA) Section 7 consultations; Clean Water Act Section 404 permits; and siting studies. There will be periodic travel to project locations to attend client or agency meetings. You should be a self-motivated professional with 10 years of successful experience, have a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, or closely related field and have a desire to grow personally as well as professionally with each environmental permitting project.

Our Senior Environmental Biologists:

• Serve as a lead biologist overseeing the work of other biologists, assist in identifying regulatory requirements and appropriate documentation, mitigation, monitoring and reporting that complies with those regulatory requirements while recognizing the client's need for efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Actively work to resolve conflicts between industrial development projects (typically renewable technologies) and biological resources through permitting, client-oriented agency negotiation, and development of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with regulatory agencies to develop mutually agreeable permitting approaches and have direct experience working closely with state and federal regulatory agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Serve as a senior technical resource to CH2M HILL's team, providing senior-level quality control, project strategy, and assistance to project managers on planning and delivering diverse biology staff (both in-house and subcontractor) for client projects including the development and implementation of project plans and work assignments, as well as being responsible for ensuring product quality, and on-schedule and on-budget completion.
• Work directly with clients to understand and meet their expectations, and leverage work to develop follow-on business opportunities for the firm.
• Demonstrate experience with, and a working knowledge of, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal and state laws and regulations, particularly as they relate to the biological aspects of infrastructure projects.
• Participate in project decisions regarding technical approaches, cost, scheduling, and performance including; planning, staffing, scheduling, budget management, quality control, safety, and coordination of subcontractors and internal technical and support staff.
• Serve as a technical resource as well as directly contribute to the technical delivery of the project deliverables.

• BS in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, or closely related field.
• 10 years of biological experience in infrastructure projects in the western United States, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience in working with regulatory agencies to negotiate compliant and cost effective biological monitoring and reporting requirements for client projects.
• Experience with biological resources, and the ability to negotiate mitigation and compensation with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulators.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for biological resources.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully plan field surveys, lead a diverse team of biology subject matter experts, serve as field team lead, subcontractor management, and/or internal project management.
• A demonstrated technical competence and project experience in one or more biological disciplines (e.g., wildlife, botany, or wetlands) applicable to infrastructure (primarily conventional or renewable energy generation/transmission) environmental permitting of projects.
• 8 years experience in environmental consulting.
• Proficient understanding of State and Federal biological laws and regulations; specifically in conducting NEPA analyses and deliverables.
• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project programs.
• 5 years experience with the compilation of large documents/reports.
• 5 years experience managing biological staff and subcontractors.

• MS Wildlife Biology, Ecology, or closely related field
• 15 or more years' experience in the industrial permitting field in the western United States, or related technical experience.
• Experience with any or most of the following is desirable: addressing wildlife conflicts on behalf of industrial / power development clients; specialized experience in conducting surveys for rare plants and/or wildlife; USACE 404 wetland permitting, Section 7 and Section 10 consultation, Clean Water Act conformance, CDFG 1603 Agreements, wetland delineations, RWQCB and NPDES permitting; experience with wind, solar and/or non-renewable energy facility permitting.
• Experience with local, state, and federal permitting processes for large projects.
• General understanding of geographic information systems.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in teams ranging from 2 - 60 staff.
• Ability to direct and mentor staff biologists regarding data collection, preparation of figures and maps, and report production.

At CH2M HILL, the greatest challenges provide the biggest rewards. Each day, your drive and creative ideas will be providing solutions that help build a better tomorrow. Whether it is the pride that comes with accomplishment, personal growth or making a difference in the world, you will discover true success in a career that brings out the best in you at CH2M HILL. Ready? Let’s get to work.

Developing People through Challenging Projects
CH2M HILL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.