At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.

We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.

Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We’re one global team – over 50,000 strong – driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.

AECOM is seeking an Entry-Level Ecologist to be based in our Glen Allen or Arlington, VA offices. This position will support our Impact, Assessment & Permitting team within our Environment business line.

This position is expected to begin March/April 2023.

Job Overview:

The Entry-Level Ecologist will support our Impact, Assessment & Permitting team in our Glen Allen or Arlington, VA offices. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team-oriented environment. This position provides unlimited career growth potential while working with an excellent team comprised of a variety of staff and project managers in support of AECOM’s clients, including natural gas, electric utilities, and renewables.

AECOM’s Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) group manages a wide variety of projects including impact assessments, environmental field assessments (i.e. wetland delineations, species surveys, etc.), environmental regulatory permitting, environmental inspection, and many others. The group primarily works on projects in Virginia and Maryland. There are opportunities to work on large-scale projects or projects further afield than the typical project range if the candidate is interested. The position reports to the Arlington/Glen Allen, VA offices, but teleworking may be considered

The responsibilities of this position may include, but are not limited to:

• Participate in wetlands and waters delineation field work, report writing, and federal & state JD requests.
• Prepare permit applications for USACE, VDEQ, VMRC, Local Wetlands Boards, MDE, MDNR, and others.
• Coordinate with USFWS, NMFS, DWR, DCR, and others regarding T&E species effects determinations.
• Participate in T&E habitat assessments and species surveys.
• Conduct wetland functions and values assessments, stream assessments utilizing the Unified Stream Methodology, and perennial flow determinations.
• Conduct Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and/or Resource Protection Area delineation.
• Writing NEPA document sections (e.g. soil, water, wildlife, etc.) for CATEX, EA, and/or EIS documents.
• Support additional environmental documents such as state environmental assessments, and water quality impact analysis.
• Ability to travel several days consecutively per month, some overnight travel required.
• Support proposal preparation.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, or related field of study
• Valid U.S. Driver's license.
• Due to the nature of work, U.S. Citizenship is required

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of consulting experience conducting the job responsibilities listed above
• 1+ years of permitting application preparation or regulatory review (Section 401/404, or other federal, state, or local permits), supporting data collection and review, and preparation of scientific documents including wetland delineations, stream assessments, and other technical reports
• ArcGIS experience and data collection tools such as Collector, Trimble units, and others.
• Experience delivering high-quality technical documentation and permit applications.
• Excellent and relevant references and technical writing sample.
• Self-motivated, driven, and hard working
• Excellent communication skills, including both oral and written (writing sample required)
• Writing samples that you lead authored, which could be from higher education or work experience.

• Candidates are expected to reside in the Arlington/Glen Allen area but may have the flexibility to work partially remote.
• Travel is required for this position.
• Candidates will be asked to submit to a Motor Vehicle Record screening upon hire.
• Relocation is not offered for this position.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

With infrastructure investment accelerating worldwide, our services are in great demand, and there’s never been a better time to be at AECOM! Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

Join us and let’s get started.