Job Information
Westwood Professional Services Inc Senior Wildlife Biologist in Minnetonka, Minnesota
Senior Wildlife Biologist Job Locations US-MN-Minnetonka ID 2023-4657 Category Environmental Position Type Regular Division Renewables Overview Senior Wildlife Biologist Westwood Professional Services, Inc. Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Wildlife Biologist with demonstrated experience in renewable energy projects, including biological assessments, avian and bat studies, eagle conservation plans, habitat assessments and regulatory permitting to join our renewables team. The successful candidate will be seeking opportunity for growth working on a variety of development projects across the country. We are looking for an individual with enthusiasm about their work, and with a strong commitment to client service and technical excellence. Westwood is a multi-disciplined firm that provides services across the country for the development of land and energy projects. This position will serve a leadership role in the environmental services group, interact with project design professionals and mentor junior staff. Duties and Responsibilities The qualified individual will a provide mix of project management, technical direction of staff, and leading regulatory negotiations. Key tasks include: drafting proposals and work plans leading document preparation in a team environment participating in regulatory meetings to support the planning, design, and approval of renewable energy and transmission projects navigating and advising on Endangered Species Act compliance tracking and participating in developing wildlife guidance initiatives preparing wildlife assessment work plans coordinating with regulatory personnel site research performing site assessment work in person and with project staff client meetings report preparation wildlife permitting environmental assessment, plan of development preparation for NEPA compliance The position will involve periodic travel, typically 1-3 days per trip on a periodic Required Experience Master's Degree in biology or related natural sciences field 10-15 years of wildlife assessment experience Technical proficiency in avian and bat studies Working knowledge of state and federal regulation Experience with GPS equipment Familiarity with US Fish and Wildlife Land Based Wind Energy Guidelines Familiarity with eagle conservation planning documents For Preferred Consideration (Not Required): Experience with wind energy pre- and post-construction monitoring protocols is desired Experience with NEPA process for various federal agencies is desired Compensation Range Minimum USD $95,000.00/Yr. Compensation Range Maximum USD $105,000.00/Yr. About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood) Westwood Professional Services Inc. (Westwood) was established in 1972 and has since become a leader in many markets it serves. Westwood is a full-service, multi-discipline professional engineering firm that serves wind, solar, battery storage, EV, power delivery, residential and commercial development, and public infrastructure clients and their projects from over 25 offices across the U.S. In 2023, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #12 and #30, respectively on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood two national 2nd place awards for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #79 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2023. The firm consistently ranks on industry top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement on award-winning projects nationwide. Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and condition of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Equal Opportunity Employer minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.