Job Title Project Biologist

Job Summary As affiliates of the PCI Federal Services group of companies, Fortis Native Group LLC has a passion for our team members and their personal mission for success. We offer excellent insurance, leave and developmental benefits along with some flexibility for remote work opportunities. Come join our organization and be part of an exciting team supporting our Federal, DoD and Private Sector customers! This contract will be in support of the Department of Interior (DOI) Orphan Wells Program Office (OWPO) to provide biological resource support.

Job Classification This position is classified as exempt.

Duties and Responsibilities

Critically analyze and/or support the critical analysis of scientific literature, agency documents, and other applicable information to assess impacts to threatened and endangered species and critical habitats due to orphaned well plugging and well site remediation and reclamation activities.

Provide quality control and/or quality assurance reviews of various reports/plans submitted by state and Tribal grant recipients related to federal regulation requirements, with emphasis on but not limited to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and/or the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and/or the Clean Water Act (CWA), as administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (frequently delegated to State representatives) and/or the U.S. Army Cor

Discuss project methodologies and designs with grant recipients and OWPO and other federal agencies and recommend approaches, alternatives, and/or modifications to the proposed actions, to reduce impacts to listed species and their habitats to streamline the consultation process. Maintain awareness of and communicate needs of any other federal regulations or initiatives applicable to project methodologies, such as National Seed Strategy, Environmental Justice, Justice40, designated Wilderness, etc.

Contribute to the preparation of species and habitat conservation documentation for Tribal and State grant recipient undertakings. Assist in data gathering, conducting impact analysis, writing sections for ESA and/or CWA required documents such as white papers, consultation letters, biological assessments, native revegetation and sensitive species relocation plans, exotics monitoring and removal plans, erosion control and storm water permits, and other technical documents in support of federal requirements and decision-making. All documentation will include GIS mapping and spatial analyses, as required.

Respond to internal comments and draft all necessary documents for concurrence with ESA and/or CWA, with the respective agency(ies). As appropriate, coordinate with grant recipients and respective administrative agency(ies) in the preparation and review of analyses and compliance submittals. Make recommendations for the mitigation of impacts resulting from OWPO-funded undertakings to biological resources.

Collaborate with grant recipients to review and support development of mitigation and monitoring strategies to support agency findings to ensure compliance and conformance with policies related to ESA and CWA consultation, with the respective agency(ies).

If required, on occasion, participate in field inspection for monitoring of plugging, reclamation and remediation work including collection of field data, digital photographs, habitat quality identification, GPS data collection, and mapping to ensure that all federal requirements are met.

Qualifications

Travel may be required up to 20%

0 - 5 years of experience in application of natural resource state and federal laws.

Must have Bachelor's degree in Biological Studies, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry or related.

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

Professi nal knowledge of North American ecosystems including soils, aquatic system and native flora and fauna and their associated habitat requirement.

Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures that govern natural resources management which are significant to biological, botanical, and ecological resources in order to provide advice and assistance concerning the implementation of federal programs pertaining to the identification, protection, and conservation of important natural resources

Skill to provide advice and assistance concerning the implementation of federal programs pertaining to the methods and practices in natural resources related fields such as critical wildlife biology, botany, conservation planning, and biological resources monitoring.

Knowledge of principles and techniques associated with measuring and protecting plant, animal, and aquatic community dynamics as required to determine which techniques should be used to acquire the desired information and achieve needed accuracy; and to develop new techniques and methods when careful analysis indicates that existing techniques are not satisfactory.