DescriptionYour role at GEI. GEI's Green Bay or Appleton office in Wisconsin are seeking a highly motivated entry level Aquatic Ecologist to join our team. Our offices and teams continue to grow and we are looking to find the next team member.
The candidate will assist mid and senior level staff and work on teams with peers for new and existing clients and project work supporting office and field tasks. This individual must be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively with a project team of ecologists, environmental scientists, and engineers. Work will include ecological field studies, assisting with development of ecological restoration plans, implementing aquatic ecosystem restoration and enhancements, developing work plans, assisting with the development of lake and/or watershed management plans, and more. In-state and occasional out-of-state travel may be necessary, primarily in the Midwest.
Essential Responsibilities & Duties - Conduct natural resource field investigations including aquatic plant surveys, water quality investigations, benthic and fisheries surveys, sediment sampling and other water based ecological or limnological investigations.
- Collect field data and enter data into appropriate spreadsheets.
- Assist with GPS surveying efforts and prepare GIS maps.
- Manage and analyze field collected data and laboratory results (chemistry, toxicity, and biological communities).
- Assist in the preparation of technical summary memos, technical reports, figures, and recommendations to clients.
- Prepare report text and maps, data tables and summaries, and conduct statistical analyses of field collected and laboratory data.
- Safely operate, maintain, and trailer motorized boats and kayaks.
- Operate and assist with maintenance, calibration, decontamination, and upkeep of aquatic sampling equipment.
- Collaborate with and support other staff on a wide range of ecological and environmental monitoring and permitting activities
- Prepare Work Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Health and Safety Plans
- Assist with the development of restoration or management plans for lakes, rivers, and watersheds.
- Invasive species identification, field mapping and preparation of invasive species control plans.
- Present to client and stakeholder groups such as lake associations, local municipal groups, etc.
- It may be necessary to also support terrestrial and other natural resources investigations such as, but not limited to, wetland delineations, pesticide applications at restoration sites, and drafting State and Federal permit applications.
Minimum Qualifications - B.S. in Ecology, Lake Management, Natural Resources, Aquatic Sciences or related discipline.
- Botany, fisheries, and wildlife experience.
- Experience with water quality sampling and common analyses.
- Valid U.S. Driver's license.
- Must be comfortable working in and around water both via wading and in a vessel.
- Experience and level of comfort with safely operating, maintaining, and trailering motorized boats and kayaks.
- Obtain and maintain boater safety education certification or have it already (GEI requires boater safety course be completed every five years).
- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with, MS Office, MS Project, PowerPoint, and other computer applications.
- Willingness and ability to travel on short-term assignments with occasional overnights as needed.
- High comfort level conducting field work under varying field and weather conditions.
- Strong verbal and technical writing skills, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Strong organization skills with attention to detail.
- Team player, self-starter, and confident personality.
Preferred Qualifications - M.S. in Ecology, Lake Management, Natural Resources, Aquatic Sciences or related discipline.
- Experience as a Field Lead.
- Participating in regional scientific organizations.
- Knowledge of local and regional water quality regulations (e.g., NPDES permits; Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Wisconsin NR code, the Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404; the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; local and state Municipal and Industrial Stormwater Programs)
- In-depth knowledge of Clean Water Act, water quality criteria for lakes/reservoirs, flowing waters, and estuaries at national and state level.
- Statistical data analysis, R and R studio, ArcGIS, and cloud computing.
- Knowledge of new sensors or remote sensing technologies in the field of water quality monitoring and / or vegetation mapping.
- Experience with data visualization
- Obtain and maintain diver certification or have it already and utilize this certification during mussel surveys, fish surveys, etc.
We are GEI. Some of the world's most pressing problems - from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply - need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.
We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients' most complex challenges.
With nearly 60 offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry.
Employee-owned. Employee-focused. As a 100% employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs - we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded - which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI's career site here.
GEI's Total Rewards Package - Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
- Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
- Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
- Commuter Benefits
- Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
- GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
- Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
- Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
- Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
- Rewards and Recognition
- GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
- Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here)
- A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- And More...
WORK ENVIRONMENT
ALL ACTIVITY LEVEL RATINGS BELOW BASED ON MONTHS WHEN SEASONAL FIELDWORK IS OCCURRING (APPROXIMATELY 25% TO 33% OF THE YEAR); REMAINDER OF YEAR IS OFFICE WORK
Functional Demands:
Sedentary
Light
Medium
X
Other
Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row)
Physical Activity RequirementsOccasional(0-35% of day)Frequent(33-66% of day)Continuous(67-100% of day)Not ApplicableSitting
X (15%)
Standing
X (60%)
Walking
X (70%)
Climbing
X
Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds)
X (10-40 lbs, repeatedly)
Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds)
X (10-40 lbs)
Carrying objects
X (70%)
Push/pull
X (15%)
Twisting
X (40%)
Bending
X (40%)
Reaching forward
X (60%)
Reaching overhead
X (40%)
Squat/kneel/crawl
X (40%)
Wrist position deviation
X (60%)
Pinching/fine motor skills
X (20%)
Keyboard use/repetitive motion
X (20%)
Taste or smell
X
Talk or hear
X (90%)
Accurate 20/40 Very Accurate 20/20 Not ApplicableNear Vision
X
Far Vision
X
YesNoNot Applicable Color Discrimination
X
Sensory Requirements MinimalModerateAccurateNot Applicable Depth perception
X
Hearing
X
Environment RequirementsOccupational Exposure Risk PotentialReasonably AnticipatedNot AnticipatedBlood borne pathogens
X
Chemical
X (Limited)
Airborne communicable diseases
X
Extreme temperatures
X
Radiation
X
Uneven surfaces or elevations
X
Extreme noise levels
X
Dust/particulate matter
X
Other (exposure risks): Usual workday hours:
8
10
X
12
Other work hours
GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.
