Ecological Planner
Posted: April 25, 2025
Job Description: We are seeking a talented, enthusiastic, and experienced individual with strong technical skills to join our team as a Project Manager for environmental planning projects in both the Kansas City and Omaha offices. The position will include a mix of office and fieldwork. Travel will generally be in the Midwest but could be further dependent upon the client and the project.
Specifics: Office location of position - Kansas City, MO, Relocation Eligible, Full-Time.
Experience: 5 to 7+ years
Compensation: Variable with aptitude, skills and experience
Why join Vireo?
Vireo collaborates with engineers, architects, planners, natural resource managers, landowners, and federal, state, county, and local governments for natural stream assessment and stormwater management policy formulation, decision-making, planning, design, and implementation. Vireo focuses on providing clients with the information necessary to make planning decisions in an environmentally sensitive way, and on the development of tools to assist in policy decision-making processes related to preservation, restoration and management of natural systems. We employ a watershed and natural systems approach, and we strongly believe in research-based plans, policies, and designs that meet client, community, ecological and legal requirements in a practical manner. Vireo is a recognized leader in natural resources planning and management in the Kansas City and Omaha regions, from stream assessment and natural resource inventories to watershed management plans, design and implementation of stormwater green infrastructure, development of policy and design criteria, and facilitation of regional stormwater forums.
In addition to natural resource planning, the ecological planner will support Vireo’s other service lines, including:
· Large-scale Landscape Architecture
· Park, Greenway, and Trail Planning and Design
· Community/Urban Solutions Planning and Design
Vireo is passionate about building a diverse and welcoming team. Our highly collaborative group thrives on collective, creative problem-solving where ideas come together to build a better solution. We are an equal-opportunity, woman-owned business. Our Kansas City and Omaha offices work closely on similar project types.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Development & Management
Manage a variety of projects and budgets simultaneously, in a timely and efficient manner, using current software packages.
Develop project scopes of work, budgets, and schedules.
Participate in varied project teams as lead and/or participant.
Establish and maintain client relationships with federal, state, and local clients, as well as consultants, and non-profits.
Pursue new projects and/or assist others with acquiring new projects.
Natural Resource Planning & Management
Conduct site assessments for parks or development planning.
Conduct natural resource assessments using accepted methodologies.
Conduct research to support planning efforts.
Develop watershed and natural resource management plans and policies.
Assist engineers with planning, design, and implementation of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in a variety of contexts.
Assist landscape architects with the development of ecologically-based planting plans and long-term maintenance plans.
Environmental Regulation
Prepare National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for a variety of federal, state, and local clients.
Prepare local, state, and federal environmental permit applications for a variety of project types.
Assist landscape architects with identifying and completing regulatory requirements for projects.
Communication & Engagement
Communicate clearly through written, graphic, and oral communications.
Develop reports and other documents that can be utilized by a range of clients for technical purposes and/or public education.
Develop graphic materials to support reports, plans, and informational materials using Adobe software.
Lead and/or support public engagement, including preparing materials and/or participating in outreach events and meetings.
General Skills
Apply Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to develop maps and analyze sites.
Utilize current software for office tasks (Microsoft Office). Use of Adobe Indesign is desired, but not required.
Take on new roles and responsibilities as necessary.
Continue professional development through classes, trainings, or conferences.
Help Vireo to expand existing service lines and client bases, and potentially develop new ones.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree, and preferably a master’s degree, in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, environmental planning, or a similar science-based program.
Experience: A minimum of 5 to 7+ years of experience including field work, planning, and diverse project management. Years of experience may be substituted for education above a bachelor’s degree.
Salary Expectation: $45,500 to $65,000, varying based on experience and certifications
How to Apply:
Send Resume and/or portfolio (no larger than 10 MB total) to Laurie Brown info@bevireo.com
