Position Announcement: Biologist, Scientist, Professional Wetland Scientist, Landscape Architect, Planner

Work Location: Western Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, etc.)

Status: Full time 

Compensation: Generous Salary, Paid Time Off, Medical Benefits, Career Advancement

We are looking for mid- (3 – 10 years) and senior-level (10+ years) environmental professionals with proven track records obtaining local, state, and federal permits for shoreline and in-water projects in Washington State. A competitive candidate will have a scientific background in shoreline and aquatic natural processes and be able to communicate how projects affect the natural environment.

Leon Environmental, LLC (L-E) is an environmental consulting firm that specializes in permitting and regulatory compliance, habitat restoration, aquatic and shoreline natural resource science, wetlands and critical areas, sediments, and contaminated site cleanup. We were founded in 2011 on the simple principle that prioritizing a client’s interests ensures success. We deliver the full range of technical services that large firms promise with the client service that only a small business can provide.

Our clients include ports, cities, counties, businesses, and residential property owners. L-E is composed primarily of technical experts who deliver technical excellence coupled with outstanding client service.

We are bursting at the seams with new and repeat clients who need our support. To serve our growing client demands while meeting our internal quality standards, we are looking for motivated, team-oriented professionals to join our close-knit team and maintain the growth of the technical services we deliver. We anticipate that a senior-level hire will be a technical leader with an aptitude for business development. A mid-level hire can deliver quality technical work and (ideally) wants to grow into a senior-level role with our mentorship.

A key element of our company culture – providing effective work/life balance – is also a key element of our business model. We’ve all been working primarily from home offices since long before COVID. We have the technology and practices to work effectively from home, but love our time in the field. You will be successful with us if you:

• Function effectively as a member of a team;

• Possess strong communication and organization skills and use technology to work remotely;

• Notice details and deliver quality;

• Value opportunities for career advancement and leadership; and

• Believe in personal and professional integrity and accountability.

A mid-level member of our team will:

• Perform duties with integrity and ensure work meets our professional ethical standards;

• Prepare permit application materials, including: shoreline substantial development permits and exemptions; shoreline variances; Section 10/404 permits; Hydraulic Project Approvals; SEPA/NEPA documents; BEs/BAs and ESA-support materials; critical areas report; floodplain habitat assessments; and other technical reporting;

• Conduct field work (site assessments, wetland delineations, forage fish surveys, sediment sampling, and other field evaluations and data collection efforts); and

• Perform other duties, as required.

The mid-level position will work on projects managed by senior associates.

A senior-level member of our team will:

• Serve as a technical expert and project manager delivering the services described above;

• Lead junior staff;

• Prepare proposals, technical scopes of work, and other reports;

• Lead meetings with client and regulators; and

• Develop new business.

The senior-level position is expected to participate in teams with other senior staff, prepare deliverables with minimal oversight, and mentor and delegate work to junior and administrative staff.

Minimum Qualifications: To be considered, you must demonstrate experience delivering (senior) or supporting (mid-level) successful permit application packages.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of one or more of the following technical subject areas: marine, shoreline, and riparian ecology; regulatory compliance; ESA-listed species and critical habitats; sediment chemistry/toxicology; wetland science; and/or other natural resource science/planning disciplines. Additional minimum requirements include:

• Demonstrate a “can-do” attitude;

• BA/BS in a natural resource-related field;

• Collaborative and effective teammate;

• Work efficiently from a home office; and

• Perform field work throughout Western Washington.

Desirable Qualifications:

• MS in a natural resource-related field;

• Professional Wetland Scientist;

• Familiarity with ArcGIS; and/or

• Eelgrass delineation.

Typical Projects: Some examples of the broad range of projects we deliver include:

• Shoreline and in-water infrastructure: terminals, piers, shoreline stabilization (hard, soft, hybrid), floats, etc.;

• Public Waterfront Centers;

• Mitigation (Concurrent, Advance, Bank);

• Port Master Planning;

• Wetland and critical area delineations;

• Sediment investigations;

• Shoreline and habitat restoration;

• Contaminated site cleanup;

• Forage fish surveys; and

• Landscape design.

Compensation: The position offers a generous salary ($67,000 - $125,000, commensurate with proven experience and qualifications) and paid time off, holidays, and medical stipend. Additionally, we provide opportunities for professional development and training from both in-house technical experts and external educators.

How to Apply: To apply, please email your CV, references, and letter of interest describing your qualifications to: Peter Leon, peter@leon-environmental.com.