Staff Scientist

Kleinschmidt has a full-time opening for a Staff Scientist to participate in a diverse array of terrestrial and aquatic resource projects in our Lexington, South Carolina office. Our flexibility and core value of relationships allow us to offer employees the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment including working from the office and remotely. This position requires 2-3 days in the office.

Who You Are

A Biologist/Ecologist with a BS in Environmental Science, or related field with 3-7 years of professional work experience in the Southeastern United States with performing habitat assessments, impact assessments, routine monitoring, or related field efforts for terrestrial species and/or native fish.

Knowledgeable: Working knowledge of regional terrestrial ecology and wildlife and/or fish biology, including species identification, habitat assessments, and natural history. Competency in scientific writing and data analysis. Proficient with MS Office Suite. Knowledge of consulting and working within budgets. Able to perform literature reviews and summaries.

Experienced: Demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork in and around rivers and remote environments throughout the Southeastern United States. Experience working from boats, kayaking, and wading in moving water. Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting boat engines and trailers is considered an asset.

Dedicated: Willingness to travel for work within the United States and Canada. Ability to work independently without supervision, as well as part of a team. Flexibility to work occasional weekends and some longer/earlier/later than normal workdays. Committed to safety and harmonious working relationships.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess permanent authorization to work in the United States and able to acquire authorization to work in Canada
• Must be willing to travel and possess a valid driver's license

About the Position

This position provides an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic applicant looking to further their career by using their experience and technical knowledge to collaborate with our team of scientists, engineers, and regulatory professionals on a range of projects to meet our clients' objectives. Much of our work focuses on fish behavior, populations, and habitats, water quality, wetlands, wildlife, and recreation studies. The successful candidate will have many opportunities for career development and long-term advancement within this diverse and well-established firm. Specific duties for this position will include:

• Conducting fieldwork such as environmental surveys, habitat assessments, water quality sampling, soil sampling, vegetation surveys, and wildlife observations;
• Collecting, managing, and organizing field data accurately and consistently.
• Supporting fish telemetry, fish tagging, and behavior studies;
• Supporting flow assessments, terrestrial surveys, and water quality measurements;
• Operating GPS units, field meters, mobile data apps, and other field equipment.
• Assisting with field work logistics, including schedule coordination, preparation of safety documentation, organizing and maintaining equipment and supplies;
• Implementing comprehensive data collection, management, and QAQC goals;
• Providing routine field data collection summaries;
• Developing technical report components including tables, figures, and text;
• Supporting development of permit applications;
• Assisting with maintenance of vehicles and field equipment, including standard maintenance of boats and trailers.

Discover Your Future at Kleinschmidt

At Kleinschmidt, we combine engineering expertise, regulatory know-how, and scientific skills to tackle the most challenging projects in renewable energy, water resources, and the natural environment. With over 50 years of experience, we stand out as one of North America's premier employee-owned consulting firms specializing in hydropower.

Our team thrives on passion and engagement, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity. At Kleinschmidt, you'll find a vibrant community of professionals eager to share knowledge and help you achieve your career goals. We place technical excellence at the core of what we do, fostering an environment that prioritizes continuous learning and professional development. Join us and turn your potential into impactful solutions that define the future of our planet.

Our Process

Kleinschmidt strives to provide a great candidate experience. After careful review of resumes, we will notify those we are interested in interviewing. We may ask for more details with an initial screening. Our process normally involves two interviews. The top candidate will then be asked to provide 2-3 references and offered a benefits call, a unique step in our process where we describe our full benefits package. The final step is an offer sent via email.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Bonus Program
• Comprehensive medical/dental/vision package
• 401(k) with 4% employer match and 100% immediate vesting
• 10 Paid Floating Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Ownership

Kleinschmidt is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. It is our company policy and culture to provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, disability status, national origin, veteran status, and all other dimensions of diversity.