Wetlands Permitting and Compliance Specialist (Fort Collins, CO)
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife and people. The Great Plains Regional Office of DU has an opening for a full-time experienced Wetlands Permitting and Compliance Specialist to round out our conservation team for Colorado and Wyoming. The successful candidate will provide essential permitting and environmental compliance support to DU conservation teams across Colorado and Wyoming with potential additional assistance in other Great Plains Region states and programs, where they will facilitate implementation of critically important habitat restoration, enhancement, and protection projects on both public and private lands. The position will be based out of the Fort Collins, Colorado satellite office, or may be staffed remotely based on the successful candidate.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop environmental compliance strategies for aquatic restoration projects in Colorado and Wyoming that reflect a broad and comprehensive understanding of applicable federal, state, and local natural resource regulations.
- Assemble federal, state, and local permit applications packages to support aquatic restoration project implementation.
- Prepare and/or oversee preparation of supporting studies for permit application packages (e.g., wetland delineations, biological assessments, cultural resource assessments).
- Prepare and/or oversee preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or state-level environmental documents.
- Prepare requests for proposals to solicit professional assistance in developing, designing, and implementing compliance-related work products, or if licensed as an archaeologist completing required archaeological surveys.
- Develop scopes, costs, and schedules to support DU biologists and other staff seeking to secure funding for habitat projects.
- Provide compliance support during project construction, including on-the-ground interpretation of permit terms and conditions and real-time coordination with regulatory and resource agencies.
QUALIFICATIONS
Ducks Unlimited is seeking a passionate and talented compliance specialist to join our team of conservation-minded biologists and engineers restoring, enhancing, and protecting wetland habitats across Colorado and Wyoming. The successful candidate will have strong organizational and critical thinking skills, a positive attitude and attention to detail, a commitment to ecological restoration, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. Strong candidates will also be excited to take on new and challenging tasks that could vary highly project to project.
Education and Experience – The successful candidate should at least possess a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in an environmental science, archaeology, or other natural resources related field. An advanced degree is desirable.
Applicants with at least five years of relevant experience, with demonstrated success in preparing and submitting federal and state natural resource permit applications. Familiarity and experience permitting wetland restoration projects preferred.
Recent permitting experience with the following regulations is preferred: Section 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act. Familiarity and recent experience working with other key federal, state and local laws that govern habitat restoration is desirable, including the Federal Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and state historic preservation compliance.
Communication Skills – The successful candidate must be able to communicate permit requirements and processes to teams of varying backgrounds, including DU staff, project partners, landowners, and regulators. Clear and succinct verbal and written communication skills are essential. Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample demonstrative of their understanding and application of the natural resource regulations described above.
Technical Skills – The successful candidate must be proficient in the use of MS Office software, and comfortable submitting permit applications online. Job responsibilities may require field work in adverse weather and landscape conditions and may require overnight travel. Familiarity with ArcGIS, GPS equipment, and all-terrain vehicles is beneficial. The ability to complete biological evaluations, archaeological surveys, plant and/or wildlife surveys, and/or wetland delineations is also beneficial, but not required.
Analytical Skills – The ideal candidate is able to develop a project-specific integrated regulatory compliance strategy that balances project goals and regulatory requirements, and that clearly communicates critical path permit process(es) to a project team. The ability to identify potential challenges early in project design and development, and an inclination to creatively and collaboratively solve those challenges with partners and regulators, is an excellent quality for staff in this position.
Salary and Benefits Package: Salary $55,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; minimum three weeks paid vacation to start; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.
Application Instructions: To apply, by Friday, October 27, 2023, submit a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position and a resume highlighting your qualifications. For internal candidates, log into https://workforcenow.adp.com with your employee credentials, click MYSELF, TALENT, CAREER CENTER and follow the prompts to APPLY. For external candidates, visit www.ducks.org/jobs, select the job title and follow the prompts to APPLY.
Applications will be considered as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. For further information regarding this position please contact: Human Resources at careers@ducks.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.