Senior Marine Mammal Specialist

Our Business

We are a global leader in environmental consulting - made stronger with the recent acquisition of Wood’s Environment & Infrastructure business and Golder - with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change. As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

This Opportunity

WSP is currently seeking a Senior Marine Mammal Specialist to support our U.S. East Coast service area with a variety of offshore, energy, restoration, infrastructure, and other environmental projects. This team member will be involved in projects with our Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that is passionate about meeting our client’s objectives and solving their challenges across a wide range of disciplines. The primary office location for this position is flexible and could potentially be based in any number of WSP’s East Coast offices including, but not limited to: Herndon, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; Richmond, VA; Baltimore, MD; Washington, D.C.; Morristown, NJ; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Portland, ME; or Wilmington, NC. This position will be responsible for supporting the development of environmental and permitting documents and interacting with client and regulatory agencies. Our successful candidate must have strong technical research and writing skills with educational emphasis and experience in marine mammal biology and behavior in response to environmental stressors, particularly acoustic signals. This position requires the evaluation and permitting of environmental impacts associated with a range of project development goals, often within a short timeframe. The candidate shall have practical knowledge and experience with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations including proficiency in acquiring regulatory approvals and/or managing project compliance with regulatory requirements.  Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Your Impact

• Support a broad range of coastal and marine-based projects including linear infrastructure (e.g., transit, fiber optic, and transmission lines), offshore energy installations, coastal habitat restoration, and/or port development primarily within the U.S. Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with additional opportunities along the West Coast and Gulf of Mexico. 
• Support permitting activities for a range of infrastructure, energy, and coastal development projects subject to regulation under federal law (e.g., Clean Water Act [CWA], Coastal Zone Management Act [CZMA], Endangered Species Act [ESA], Marine Mammal Protection Act [MMPA], National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA], etc.).
• Complete environmental analysis and technical reports based on the best available scientific information including peer-reviewed literature, agency reports, and site-specific data to evaluate a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental protection and monitoring measures. 
• Analyze potential impacts on marine species from proposed nearshore and offshore activities, including acoustical impacts to protected marine species (i.e., marine mammals, sea turtles, and ESA-listed fish species). 
• Assess potential anthropogenic impacts on marine mammal populations due to harassment or harm from acoustic effects, vessel interactions, habitat conversion, and associated cumulative impacts.
• Consult with regulatory staff and stakeholder organizations on marine mammal issues and concerns.
• Support the development of proposals  for potential future project work related to marine mammals and other protected species.
• Contribute to the coordinated development of business opportunities in the field of marine mammal sciences with a focus on underwater noise, marine mammal population health, migration, threats, and ecology.
• Work efficiently within culturally and geographically diverse cross-functional teams in executing project work.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Synthesize and summarize large amounts of information contained in design plans, regulatory files, environmental permits, and other environmen