Lead Forest Ecologist

Remote from
USA flag
USA
Salary, yearly, USD
95,400 - 141,680
Employment type
Full Time,
Job posted
Apply before
21 Jun 2026
Experience level
Senior
Views / Applies
46 / 13

About WSP

We are a world-leading engineering and professional services consulting firm uniting our engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to make a positive impact.

Verified job posting
This job post has been manually reviewed for authenticity and compliance.

AI Summary

WSP USA is seeking a Lead Forest Ecologist to join their California Earth and Environment Team, with a focus on federal land management, forest planning, and NEPA analysis. The role involves leading field data collection, preparing reports, and growing vegetation modeling capabilities. The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience in forestry or ecology, including 5 years on federal lands, and strong technical writing skills. This position offers remote work within the US and requires up to 20% travel.

Job Complexity

Easy Hard
AI Insight The job requires 10+ years of experience, specialized knowledge of US Forest Service processes, and leadership responsibilities, making it highly challenging. The need for expertise in NEPA/CEQA and multi-state project management adds to the difficulty.

Salary Analysis

Median
USD118,540
US Market
USD70,000 – USD160,000
AI Insight The offered salary range of $95,400 to $141,680 is competitive for a Lead Forest Ecologist role, aligning with the national median of around $118,000. The upper end of the range is attractive for experienced candidates, though the market max can reach $160,000 for top-tier experts.

Key Skills

Forestry NEPA Analysis US Forest Service Ecological Surveys Vegetation Modeling GIS Wildfire Mitigation Technical Writing Project Management Environmental Compliance

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Lead Forest Ecologist position at WSP. With over 10 years of experience in forestry and ecology on federal lands, I bring deep expertise in NEPA analysis, forest planning, and biological surveys. I have successfully led multi-disciplinary teams and managed projects across multiple states, including Oregon and California.

My technical skills include Forest Vegetation Simulation (FVS) modeling, GIS data management, and wildfire mitigation planning. I am adept at preparing technical reports and evaluating impacts on sensitive resources. I am eager to contribute to WSP's growing environmental practice and help identify new opportunities.

I am particularly drawn to WSP's commitment to remote work and national projects. I am confident that my background aligns with your requirements for self-leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can add value to your team.

Can you describe your experience with NEPA analysis for forest management projects on federal lands?
In my previous role, I led NEPA analysis for several US Forest Service projects, including timber sales and vegetation management. I prepared Environmental Assessments and Impact Statements, coordinated with interdisciplinary teams, and ensured compliance with NEPA regulations.
How have you used Forest Vegetation Simulation (FVS) modeling in your work?
I have used FVS to model forest growth under different management scenarios, such as thinning and prescribed fire. This helped inform project alternatives and assess long-term impacts on stand structure and fuel loads.
Describe a time you managed a multi-state project with remote teams. How did you ensure effective communication and quality control?
I managed a forest inventory project across Oregon and California by establishing regular video calls, shared project dashboards, and clear QA/QC protocols. I also conducted field visits to ensure data consistency and provided guidance to junior staff.
What strategies do you use to identify new clients and project opportunities?
I actively network at professional conferences and maintain relationships with US Forest Service contacts. I also monitor agency planning documents and RFPs, and collaborate with internal teams to cross-sell services.
How do you approach wildfire mitigation planning in forest ecosystems?
I focus on integrating fuel reduction treatments like thinning and prescribed burns with ecological goals. I use fire behavior modeling to prioritize areas and collaborate with fire ecologists to develop resilient landscapes.

This Opportunity

WSP USA is initiating a search for a Lead Forest Ecologist to join our California Earth and Environment Team! Our California-based team consists of members concentrated in California, but many live and work on projects in multiple states across the U.S. based on our team’s capabilities and interests. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with federal land management, forest planning, NEPA analysis related to forests and natural resources management, biological/ecological surveys, forestry management, and scientific writing. The ideal candidate has experience with writing technical biological reports, evaluating impacts to sensitive resources on federal lands, and planning with the US Forest Service with demonstrated success in forestry and/or ecology and technical writing.

Your Impact

  • Serve as forester or forest ecologist on multiple projects in multiple states, including three ongoing projects in Oregon
  • Identify potential new clients and project opportunities nationally with internal members of the organization
  • Lead/organize forestry and/or ecology field data collection and prepare related reports
  • Advise other team members on forest planning and impact analysis related to US Forest Service and other federal agencies
  • Grow our ability to undertake vegetation modeling, including Forest Vegetation Simulation (FVS) modeling and other statistical analyses to support multiple projects
  • Participate in wildfire mitigation planning
  • Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams which could include engineers, planners, GIS analysts, recreation specialists, biologists, cultural resources specialists, permitting and environmental resource specialists, and construction compliance monitors
  • Lead or assist with GIS data generation and management, particularly for ecological data, for federal or state clients

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
  • 10+ years of experience working as a Forester or Forest ecologist, with at least 5 years associated with federal lands
  • US Forest Service Experience
  • Well-developed expertise with conducting NEPA / CEQA / other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
  • Highly capable self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
  • Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
  • Up to 20% travel may be required for field work and client meetings

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional certifications as applicable to technical expertise
  • Knowledge of federal and state, and local environmental regulations related to sensitive species in Washington, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Ability to work remotely from any location in the US, while supporting projects nationally.

Compensation

Expected Salary: $ 95,400- $141, 680

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

#LI-LD1

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service. 

Apply now >

This job listing has been manually reviewed by the Jobicy Trust & Safety Team for compliance with our posting guidelines, including verification of the company's legitimacy, accuracy of job details, clarity of remote work policy, and absence of misleading or fraudulent content.

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