Aquatic Biologist

EnviroScience, Inc., headquartered in Stow, Ohio, with additional offices in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, is a niche provider of environmental consulting services. We employ over 150 highly skilled and technical employees that develop unique, cost-effective solutions for our clients’ environmental, infrastructure and regulatory needs. Our clients repeatedly choose EnviroScience because of our technical expertise, client advocacy, high quality work, and outstanding reputation with regulators and industry executives.

EnviroScience is looking to hire a full-time Aquatic Biologist to support our natural resources division within Stow, Ohio headquarters.

This position will best fit someone who can successfully manage multiple tasks and projects synchronously, exhibits strong scientific writing skills, works independently, is highly detail oriented, and has experience and a background in aquatic surveys or a related natural resources field.

The Aquatic Biologist is responsible for completion of aquatic survey services and technical reporting related to aquatic biology, including the assessment of freshwater systems, monitoring water quality, and analyzing aquatic habitats. Requirements of this position include but are not limited to field work, laboratory work, and data management while also offering the opportunity to assist with other project efforts such as proposal preparation, technical report writing, and other aquatic survey or natural resources services.

Field Work and Surveys

• Conduct field collections of fish for community assessments and tissue analysis in various habitats, such as lakes, rivers, and streams, using various types of methods including electrofishing, trap nets, gill nets, seines, etc.
• Conduct field surveys for macroinvertebrate communities in various habitats, such as lakes, rivers, and streams using various types of methods including kick nets, artificial habitats, and dredge samplers.
• Collect in-situ measurements of water quality parameters (e.g., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen) during sampling events.
• Collect water samples for laboratory chemical or biological analysis.
• Evaluate and document aquatic habitats, assessing features such as substrate composition, flow regime, and fish cover.
• Identify aquatic species using taxonomic guides and laboratory analysis, focusing on the fauna of the midwestern and eastern United States, most specifically fish species.
• Maintain equipment inventory and ensure proper storage and transportation.
• Assist with other natural resources project work, as needed.

Data Management and Reporting

• Tabulate and analyze collected field data using computer software.
• Calculate standard community metrics or indices such as the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI).
• Assist in the preparation of detailed technical reports.

Project Support

• Assist in the planning and execution of aquatic survey projects.
• Communicate with field technicians, team and field crew leads, and project managers, providing updates on project progress and addressing technical questions related to aquatic field survey.
• Ensure that all fieldwork and project activities follow approved study plans and federal, state, and/or local environmental assessment protocols.
• Assist with proposal efforts and client coordination, as needed.

Mentorship and Technical Expertise

• Advise less experienced personnel in survey techniques and field and office processes.
• Provide comprehensive review of data calculations, reports, and draft documents as needed.

This candidate will need to collaborate effectively with team leads and other staff. This candidate needs to be able to complete project work independently, with minimal supervision. This position consists of predominantly field work with occasional office work. On an annual basis, work duties could be up to 75% field efforts and 25% office. During the field season, approximately April/May through October, this position could expect to work up to 75-100% in the field. Field work assignments may include consecutive days working outdoors with a field crew in all types of weather conditions and sometimes in remote and challenging locations. A typical field workday consists of 8-12 hours which may include irregular hours and weekend work. Overnight travel and working for extended periods in different states is project specific but will be required. Office work assignments occur throughout the year and may include field preparation, data analysis, report writing, or equipment maintenance and typically consists of an 8-hour day.

This position is a hybrid role, meaning employees will work a schedule which includes field work and work on location in the Stow, Ohio office or regional office.

This position is expected to report to the office for office-based work but working from home may be permitted for specific assignments. Standard office equipment and space will be provided to work in the office. Working from home must be pre-approved by your direct supervisor and is subject to current workload and employee utilization. All employees’ work schedules must be updated to indicate work type (field or lab/office) and location for each day. Uninterrupted home-based internet is a must in your home to attend and host video calls, along with a minimum bandwidth speed of 20 mbps.
 

Working Conditions:

• Office
• Overnight travel
• On-site work, outdoors
• Long periods of driving
• Overnight and some weekend travel can be expected.

Physical Requirements:

• Repeat motions that may include the wrist, hands, and/or fingers 
• Occasionally may need to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Communication with others to exchange information. Must be able to see, read, write, and speak.
• Must be able to complete work by standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching 
• Working outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Walking for periods of time including maneuvering uneven, uphill, and downhill terrain
• Heavy work that includes moving, lifting, and carrying objects up to 50 lbs., or more

Travel Requirements:

• % of travel time: typically up to 50%; varies with fluctuations in workload and work location

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: B.S./B.A. degree in natural science field of study 
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in aquatic biology, ecology, or environmental science, particularly in the midwestern and eastern U.S.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in freshwater systems specific to the midwestern and eastern United States.
• Hands-on experience conducting aquatic field surveys, water quality monitoring, and habitat assessments for fish and/or benthic macroinvertebrates.
• Familiarity with GIS and GPS field operation 
• Proficiency or familiarity with field and laboratory identification of fish to species.
• Experience with on-water work / boat operations
• Experience with in-water work, wading in streams with variable flow and depths
• Familiarity with environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
• Strong proficiency in data analysis and technical report writing.
• Experience with data management software and ability to interpret ecological indices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office computer programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

Desired Skills:

• Strong skills in conducting detailed field research using various survey methods.
• Ability to safely operate and trailer boats of various sizes on different types of waterbodies.
• Physical ability to work in outdoor field conditions, including wading in streams and rivers and carrying equipment.
• Ability to lead field crews and multi-task regularly in a fast-paced, changing work environment
• Organizational skills to manage workload and the ability to assist with multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to address issues encountered in the field.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, for coordinating with project team and supervisors, preparing reports, and interacting with clients.
• High attention to detail in data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in team environment
• Demonstrated ability to write or assist with technical reports.
• Project and/or client management.