Environmental Scientist

Straughan Environmental Services seeks an Environmental Scientist for a six-month temporary role based in Harford County, MD. The Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) will ensure compliance with permit requirements for a project, working closely with regulatory agencies like the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Responsibilities include monitoring construction activities, documenting environmental impacts, and coordinating with clients and agencies.
About the position

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a rapidly growing, woman-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality and cost-effective consulting services across various sectors, including governmental and private clients. The company is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities, leveraging a team of experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. The staff includes wildlife and wetlands scientists, geomorphologists, hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers, inspectors, biologists, botanists, planners, cultural resource specialists, and GIS and CAD professionals. This diverse technical expertise, combined with a strong understanding of policy, positions Straughan as a competitive firm and an excellent place for career advancement. The Environmental Scientist position is a temporary role lasting six months, with the possibility of extension, based in Harford County. The Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) will be responsible for ensuring compliance with permit requirements for a specific project. This role involves working closely with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Divisions and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to confirm that all construction activities adhere to regulatory permit conditions and commitments. The IEM will report findings directly to the relevant agencies and the client, ensuring immediate notification of any potential violations or non-compliance issues. The IEM will review approved plans, monitor construction activities, and document impacts to regulated resources. This includes developing a detailed tracking list of impacted resources and identifying opportunities for minimizing impacts to environmental resources and protecting water quality. Regular coordination with regulatory agencies and client representatives is essential, as is the preparation of a summary report of findings upon project completion. The IEM will work up to 40 hours per week, with inspections anticipated to continue through December 2024, subject to extension.

Responsibilities
• Perform duties of an Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) to meet permit requirements for specified project in Harford County.
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• Work with the client Project Staff and Contractor to confirm compliance with all regulatory permit conditions and commitments.
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• Report findings directly to MDE Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Divisions and USACE, notifying them and the client of any potential violations or non-compliance issues.
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• Review approved plans and monitor construction activities for compliance with applicable permits and environmental regulations.
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• Review the Contractor's environmental compliance implementation.
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• Notify the client of deficiencies in compliance with commitments, considerations, permits, and approvals.
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• Document impacts to regulated resources by maintaining a detailed tracking list of impacted resources.
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• Assist in identifying opportunities for avoidance and minimization of impacts to regulated environmental resources and protection of water quality.
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• Coordinate and attend meetings involving resource or regulatory agencies, including USACE, MDE, DNR, USFWS, or EPA.
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• Maintain regular coordination with regulatory agencies and client representatives.
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• Utilize specialized client format/portal for reporting.
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• Prepare a summary report of findings upon project completion.

Requirements
• Environmental Scientist with a minimum of five [5] years of experience in highway construction or erosion and sediment control inspections, wetland and stream monitoring, and/or wetland and stream restoration/mitigation monitoring.

Nice-to-haves

Benefits