Senior Ecologist/Biologist - Team Leader

ABOUT THE POSITION

Senior Ecologist/Biologist - Team Leader | Raleigh, NC or Charlotte, NC

VHB is seeking a North Carolina-based Senior Ecologist/Biologist with strong business development acumen to join our growing Environmental Services team. Based in either Raleigh or Charlotte, this role will blend technical leadership in the field of ecology and permitting with a key focus on strategic business development across the Mid-Atlantic region. You'll lead pursuits, grow our presence in target markets, and support delivery of impactful projects.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in expanding our portfolio in land development, transportation infrastructure, federal/local/state government, energy pipelines and coastal resiliency markets. You will collaborate closely with other environmental leaders and market teams to deliver high-quality services, support project execution, and build and mentor a high-performing team.

Recent project highlights include:

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse relocation and site management
• Resilient roadway and shoreline protection in the Town of Duck, NC
• Raleigh to Richmond Passenger Rail: Achieving 30 Percent Design | VHB
• Pipeline permitting and reactivation projects from Appalachia through NC and VA

Responsibilities:

• Lead and grow a team of environmental professionals focused on ecological assessments and regulatory permitting in North and South Carolina.
• Drive business development in strategic market sectors: coastal resiliency, energy, pipeline, federal, state/local government, and transportation.
• Identify, pursue, and win new project opportunities, including on-call contracts.
• Cultivate client relationships and build a sustainable book of business to support a growing team and collaborate across VHB's Mid-Atlantic region.
• Oversee and conduct fieldwork such as wetland and waters delineations, rare species surveys (e.g., bat surveys), and habitat assessments.
• Manage the preparation of technical documents, environmental permits (401/404, NEPA), and agency coordination.
• Lead proposal development, scope and budget planning, and resource allocation for diverse projects.
• Actively engage with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies to guide project development and approvals.
• Collaborate with internal environmental teams across the Mid-Atlantic to share expertise and deliver integrated solutions.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of ecological surveys, wetland delineation, threatened/endangered species evaluations, and mitigation planning.
• In-depth familiarity with NEPA, Clean Water Act (Section 404/401), and related state and federal environmental regulations.
• Experience with gas/energy pipeline projects, coastal and flood resilience work, and large-scale infrastructure development.
• Proficient in ArcGIS (including Field Maps and AGOL) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong interpersonal, proposal writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to mentor staff and work cross-functionally.
• OSHA 40-hr HAZWOPER certification and/or LEED AP a plus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, or a related field (M.S. preferred).
• 11-15+ years of progressive ecological consulting experience, with proven business development success.
• Strong portfolio of client relationships and project wins in key markets (transportation, energy, coastal resiliency, land development, federal/state agencies).
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), WPIT, CWB, or similar certifications preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing field teams, regulatory permitting, and complex ecological projects.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us!

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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