Terracon

Natural Resources Scientist - WI or IL

Terracon$85K — $108K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Engineering, Geology, Archaeology or related discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 7 years of related experience, or 11 years without a degree.
  • Senior-level expertise in waters of the U.S. permitting, listed species, or NEPA.
  • Experience with Section 401/404 permitting and/or listed species required.
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.
  • Certification in field of expertise mandatory, with preferred credentials for wetland delineation in Wisconsin and Illinois.
  • Proficient with WDNR, IL state, local regulations, and USACE jurisdictional rules.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, lead, and execute moderate to high complexity environmental and wetland projects.
  • Oversee wetland delineations, ecological surveys, and scientific data analyses.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local standards.
  • Mentor junior scientists and coordinate with field staff as team lead.
  • Develop and review technical reports, permit applications, and client proposals.
  • Interpret complex field and lab data to support project conclusions.
  • Collaborate with clients and regulators on project execution and planning.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for meaningful work impacting wetlands and natural resources.
  • Career growth with a respected environmental consulting firm.
  • Hybrid work location flexibility (Cudahy, Chicago, Glendale Heights).
  • Structured mentoring toward Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer certification.
  • Balance of fieldwork, project leadership, and client interaction.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role: Natural Resources Scientist

Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin or Chicago, IL or Glendale Heights, IL

Onsite/Hybrid

Full-Time

Salary Range: $85,000 - $108,000

Mid-Senior Level | Level Determined by Experience

Make a lasting impact on wetlands, natural resources, and environmental compliance across the Upper Midwest, while growing your career with a respected environmental consulting firm. This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse, meaningful projects throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, with a strong balance of fieldwork, project leadership, and client collaboration.

General Responsibilities:
  • Prepare permit applications, risk assessments, and technical documentation - including proposals, reports, and regulatory agency correspondence.
  • Design environmental protection plans and support sustainable site development initiatives.


Projects May Include:
  • Ecological and natural resource field surveys.
  • Wetland and waters of the U.S. delineations, impact assessments, and permitting.
  • Wetland mitigation.
  • Stormwater management.
  • Site planning and regulatory permitting.
  • Habitat assessments and agency coordination.


Responsibilities

  • Plan, lead, and execute environmental and wetland projects of moderate to high complexity, from fieldwork through reporting.
  • Perform and oversee wetland delineations, ecological field surveys, sampling, and scientific analyses.
  • Ensure projects meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and quality standards.
  • Serve as a technical resource and team lead, mentoring junior scientists and coordinating field staff.
  • Develop and review technical reports, permit applications, and client proposals.
  • Analyze and interpret complex field and laboratory data to support defensible conclusions.
  • Collaborate directly with clients, regulators, and internal teams on project planning and delivery.
  • Uphold safety, quality, and professional standards on all projects
  • Progress toward Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer certification with structured mentoring.


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Engineering, Geology, Archaeology, or related discipline. Master's degree or PhD preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years' related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 11 years' related experience.
  • Demonstrated senior-level experience in waters of the U.S./permitting, listed species, or NEPA.
  • Section 401/404 permitting and/or listed species experience needed.
  • Valid driver's license with acceptable violation history.
  • Certification in the field of expertise required.
  • Wisconsin DNR Assured wetland delineator credentials preferred.
  • Illinois Lake County and DuPage County Wetland certification preferred.
  • Knowledge of WDNR, IL state and local and USACE jurisdictional wetland regulations.
  • Familiarity using Trimble and ESRI products.


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About Terracon

Terracon is a leading provider of engineering consulting services in the United States. The company was founded in 1965 and has since grown to employ over 5,000 people in more than 150 offices across the country. Terracon offers a wide range of services, including geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, construction materials testing, and facilities engineering. The company is committed to providing high-quality services to its clients while also promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. Terracon is a privately held company and is headquartered in Olathe, Kansas.
Learn more about Terracon
Size
5,000 employees
Industry
Net Income
$50 million
Founded
2023
5 Year Trend
+20%
Revenue
$800 million
NASDAQ

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