Job Location

Education Level

We are looking for a Wetland Scientist, ideally in the Palm Beach area. This position will involve about 75% field work, primarily wetland jurisdictional determinations, and 25% office work comprised largely of data entry/management, and report preparation. This opportunity places a high value on attention to detail, collaboration, on schedule delivery, and the desire to learn and grow.

Who We Are

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.

Who You Are

You hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related environmental or ecological field and are an entry to mid-level Wetland Scientist with a minimum of 2 years of wetland delineation experience. Candidates with more experience are also encouraged to apply.

You have experience leading wetland delineations, natural resource surveys, and wildlife surveys within Florida. The tasks you perform will require existing scientific knowledge, interpretation, and understanding as well as ongoing familiarity with methodologies in wetland science, monitoring, data collection and management, and wildlife and listed species surveys. You have experience in technical writing and may have experience in permitting and compliance, task or project management and project scoping.

You are able to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team under Florida’s strenuous natural habitats and difficult weather conditions. You enjoy field work and are able to walk long distances carrying a backpack, safely operate, load and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks and other obstacles.

What You Will Do for ESA

Your responsibilities will require a combination of field and office work. Field work may include exposure to hot or cold, humid, and wet conditions on open water and in areas occupied by animals such as alligators, snakes, and stinging/biting insects. Field work may require very early morning or late-night start and end times as well as occasional out of town travel. Field work may require on or in water related activities.

Your primary work activities are anticipated to be:

• Field Wetland Delineation, Site Assessments, and Wildlife Surveys and Monitoring – a responsibility of this position will be performing wetland and terrestrial vegetation surveys, wetland jurisdictional determinations, and wildlife surveys in Florida environments and weather conditions. Some of the tasks require carrying heavy equipment (20lbs). These tasks require the ability to operate a tablet, GPS, or similar digital navigation and data collection device.
• Data Collection, Management and QAQC – including completion of paper data records forms, digital data management using Excel and other software packages and office software. Familiarity with GIS applications such as ArcGIS is requested.

You may be responsible for coordinating your portion of task or project delivery schedules, managing field work and equipment logistics, and maintaining and disseminating relevant equipment and field sampling information and resources. You may assist or lead budget tracking and invoicing, meeting with team members to gage progress toward task completion and responding to team member or client questions about assigned tasks or projects. You may assist or lead project additional tasks. You will produce very high-quality field measurements, technical work, and technical reports that are clear, concise, and well supported.

You will thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and are able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines while working on a team or independently.

This position is based out of our any of our Florida offices, including Palm Beach (preferred), Pensacola, Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, or South FL. Travel across Florida will be required.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

What’s Special About Our Biology Team in Florida

Our Biology Team includes biologists, environmental scientists, water quality specialists, air quality & acoustic analysts, landscape managers, and GIS professionals that provide expertise for many clients throughout Florida. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and cross-disciplinary engagement; this position will be involved in a wide variety of projects in Florida.

We encourage you to check out our website to read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed.

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation.

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)