Ecologist Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CK is growing our Ecological Program into Texas, and we're looking for an experienced scientist/biologist/ecologist, project manager, and client manager for a Senior Environmental Scientist role who is ready for greater project ownership, client responsibility, and career growth.

This is an opportunity to do more than manage individual technical assignments. You'll lead complex natural resource and environmental permitting projects, work directly with clients and regulatory agencies, mentor developing professionals, and help expand CK's ecological services throughout Texas and the Gulf Coast.

For someone who enjoys the technical side of ecological consulting but is also ready to strengthen client relationships, develop new opportunities, and grow as a project and business leader, this position offers significant room to advance.

What You'll Do

• Support the continued growth of CK's Ecological Program by identifying opportunities with existing clients and developing relationships with new clients.
• Lead natural resource and environmental permitting projects from initial scoping and proposal development through permitting and project completion.
• Manage complex federal, state, and local permitting efforts, including Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401, Rivers and Harbors Act Sections 10 and 408, and coastal permitting.
• Manage Waters of the US (WOTUS) delineations, jurisdictional evaluations, and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and other regulatory agencies.
• Develop permitting strategies that help clients successfully navigate complex environmental and natural resource requirements.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, invoicing, QA/QC, subcontractors, and client communications.
• Prepare and review technical reports, permit applications, proposals, regulatory correspondence, and other project deliverables.
• Lead and support wetland delineations, habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species evaluations, and other natural resource field investigations.
• Evaluate wetland impacts and mitigation requirements using applicable federal and state assessment methodologies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and develop strong, long-term client relationships.
• Mentor junior ecological staff and provide technical guidance and project oversight.
• Participate in proposal development, client meetings, industry organizations, and other business development activities.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Wildlife, Fisheries, Wetland Science, Natural Resources, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of environmental consulting or closely related natural resource experience, with progressive responsibility for managing projects and client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • WOTUS delineation and assessment
  • USACE Jurisdictional Determinations
  • USACE permitting
  • Coastal permitting
  • Wetland impact assessments and mitigation
  • Protected species assessment, survey, and consulting
• Strong working knowledge of the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act.
• Experience coordinating with USACE and other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Strong plant identification and taxonomy skills.
• Proven ability to successfully manage multiple projects of varying size, complexity, and stage of completion.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience working directly with clients and developing lasting client relationships.
• Interest and ability to identify new project opportunities and contribute to business development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving industrial, energy, petrochemical, infrastructure, pipeline, transportation, or other development clients in Texas and the Gulf Coast.
• Experience with Texas permitting and natural resource regulatory programs.
• Experience with wetland mitigation planning and applicable functional assessment methodologies.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification or other relevant professional certification.
• Existing relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, or industry organizations in Texas.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior technical professionals.

More Than Project Management, A Path for Growth
We're looking for someone who wants to continue building both the technical and business sides of their career.

In this role, you'll have opportunities to expand beyond project execution by developing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, mentoring staff, and helping shape the continued growth of CK's Ecological practice in Texas.

As your responsibilities grow, so can your role within the firm. Whether your career goals are centered around technical leadership, project and client management, business development, or broader program leadership,

CK provides opportunities to build a career path around your strengths and interests.

Additional Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel for client meetings, field investigations, and project needs.
• Flexibility to occasionally work outside normal business hours when project schedules require.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and ability to safely operate a full-size pickup truck.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Must meet applicable Drug & Alcohol, Health & Safety, and Security requirements for access to client facilities.

Why Join CK?
At CK, you'll join an employee-owned environmental consulting firm where your experience, ideas, and contributions matter.

We're large enough to provide challenging multidisciplinary projects for leading industrial clients, but small enough for experienced consultants to have a meaningful influence on clients, projects, teams, and the future direction of the firm.

We offer:

• Employee ownership
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Company-wide bonus opportunities
• Hybrid work flexibility based on project and client needs
• Direct client interaction and meaningful project ownership
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Opportunities to develop project management and business development skills
• Mentoring and opportunities to mentor others
• A clear path toward increased technical, client, and leadership responsibility
• Collaboration with experienced professionals across CK's environmental disciplines

If you're an experienced ecological consultant who is ready for more ownership, stronger client involvement, and the opportunity to help grow a practice, we'd like to talk with you.