Job Description

Otak is hiring an Environmental Scientist III/IV to join our growing Water and Natural Resources team in Puget Sound. This role serves as a technical lead for wetland and stream delineations and wildlife assessments, manages environmental projects and tasks, and prepares environmental permit applications for public and private clients. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing high-quality technical documents such as wetland delineation reports, critical area reports, jurisdictional determinations, mitigation plans, HPAs, and Section 404/401 permit applications. Experience with Biological Assessments and Endangered Species compliance is a plus.

You will serve as a primary liaison with federal, state, and local agencies on environmental permitting and compliance matters, and lead impact analyses to inform project design and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with Otak's multidisciplinary teams to support mitigation planning, design, and installation. Project work includes fish passage restoration, transportation, third-party peer reviews, linear utilities, parks and trails, and policy analysis. Project locations span rural and suburban or urban areas, road corridors, and agricultural lands throughout the Pacific Northwest.

This position includes a mix of field work and hybrid remote and in-office work, and is based out of our Redmond or Everett, Washington office. Travel to Southwest Washington and Oregon is expected on a project-by-project basis.

What You'll Do:

• Manage environmental tasks and projects in freshwater and shoreline environments.

• Lead wetland and stream OHWM delineations using the USACE 1987 Manual and applicable Regional Supplements, complete wetland ratings and functional assessments, and prepare associated reports.

• Conduct OHWM delineations in both marine and freshwater systems.

• Prepare wetlands, streams, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas (FWHCA) critical areas reports for compliance with local Washington codes.

• Develop regulatory compliance strategies for projects and permit applications (e.g., JARPA, SEPA, Shoreline), including use of streamlined permitting processes.

• Prepare Biological Assessments to support Section 7 ESA compliance.

• Support ecological restoration and mitigation planning and design.

• Prepare SEPA Checklists and NEPA Categorical Exclusion documentation.

• Provide technical expertise in aquatic and terrestrial wildlife ecology, including fieldwork for wildlife habitat assessments and report preparation. This may include stream habitat monitoring, fish passage assessments, water quality analysis, impact analyses, and restoration design.

• Lead post?construction performance monitoring for fish passage, wetlands, and vegetation, and prepare annual monitoring reports.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Wildlife or Fisheries, Ecology, or a related field; Masters degree preferred.

• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification preferred.

• 5-10 years of professional experience in wetlands, including working knowledge of salmonid ecology in freshwater and estuarine environments in the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound region. Time spent in a Masters degree program may be included toward total experience.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and deliver multiple projects with concurrent deadlines.

• Professional experience supporting aquatic restoration projects, including design, implementation, and performance monitoring.

• Strong understanding of federal and Washington State regulatory compliance processes, including preparation of JARPAs for USACE and WDFW permitting.

• Experience completing wildlife habitat studies and impact assessments for public and private development projects, including fish passage, stream restoration, linear transportation, and publicly funded capital improvement projects.

• Background with NEPA compliance processes for publicly funded projects preferred.

• WSDOT- or ODOT-certified Biological Assessment Author preferred.

• Ability to participate in business development activities such as proposal preparation, interviews, and client relationship management.

• Ability to travel occasionally between Otak offices and to project sites.

• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions and navigate slopes and rough terrain along rivers, streams, shorelines, and transportation corridors.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $118,000 per year

Benefits

At our core, we believe that supporting our communities begins with supporting our employees. No matter what stage youre at in your career, we have a comprehensive total rewards program to enhance your quality of life, help support your family, and assist you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Otak employees enjoy competitive salaries; discretionary performance bonuses; no-cost medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, HRA/HSA; a 401(k)-retirement match that is 100% vested immediately; a hybrid work schedule; Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual based on your industry experience rather than your seniority plus 9 paid holidays per year; a commuter allowance (based on your office location); support for your professional registration and/or certification fees; and much more! If you are out of the area and interested in relocating for this opportunity, relocation assistance may be provided.

Why work at Otak?

Were not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, youre not joining a firm youre joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we dont just believe in cultivating our own community; were also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so were committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, were expanding and were dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

Equal Opportunity

At Otak, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful for all. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our work environment, fuel innovation, and are essential to our collective success.

We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. Every individual at Otak is valued, included, and treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We strive to ensure that our practices uphold fairness and equity at every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Our Vision for an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating an environment where:

• Diverse identities are embraced, and differences are valued as a source of strength.

• Every employee feels safe to be their authentic self and contributes meaningfully.

• Unique perspectives are encouraged, and open dialogue is welcomed to foster innovation.

• Curiosity replaces judgment, and respectful engagement is prioritized in all interactions.

• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect forming the foundation of our workplace culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, including pregnant employees, to ensure an accessible and supportive work environment. If you require assistance or accommodations during the application process or in the workplace, please contact Otak's People Services Department at GRPHumanResources@Otak.com .

Join us in shaping a more inclusive future!

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