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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wetland Biologist

💰 $45,000 - $95,000

Environmental ScienceEcologyWetland Restoration

🎯 Role Definition

The Wetland Biologist is responsible for planning, conducting, and documenting wetland and riparian field investigations, assessments, and restoration projects to support regulatory compliance, permitting, mitigation, and habitat enhancement. This person leads field crews, analyzes hydrology and vegetation data, prepares jurisdictional wetland delineations and technical reports, coordinates with permitting agencies (USACE, EPA, state agencies), and designs or implements restoration and mitigation plans that meet Clean Water Act and state regulatory standards. The ideal candidate combines rigorous field science, GIS and data-management skills, and effective stakeholder communication to deliver accurate, defensible deliverables on time and on budget.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician / Wetland Field Technician
  • Environmental Technician / Natural Resources Technician
  • Restoration Technician or Ecological Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wetland Biologist / Lead Wetland Scientist
  • Restoration Project Manager / Environmental Project Manager
  • Regulatory Compliance Manager / Mitigation Bank Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Restoration Ecologist
  • Environmental Planner / Permit Specialist
  • GIS Analyst with a focus on ecological applications

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct standardized wetland delineations following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Delineation Manual and regional supplements, document indicators for hydrology, soils, and hydrophytic vegetation, and prepare jurisdictional determinations for regulatory submittal.
  • Lead and perform ecological field surveys to identify and map wetland, stream, and riparian resources using GPS/GNSS units, develop and maintain field sampling networks for vegetation plots, soil pits, and hydrologic monitoring points.
  • Design, implement, and manage wetland mitigation and restoration projects, including site selection, grading plans, soil amendments, native plant palettes, seeding and planting schedules, construction oversight, and adaptive maintenance strategies to meet success criteria.
  • Prepare clear, defensible technical reports including wetland delineation reports, biological assessments, functional assessments (e.g., HGM, Wetland Rapid Assessment), mitigation/monitoring plans, and regulatory submittals that support Clean Water Act (Section 404) and state permitting.
  • Conduct hydrologic assessments, analyze seasonal water regimes, install and maintain hydrology monitoring equipment (staff gauges, pressure transducers), summarize hydrographs, and interpret hydrologic data relative to wetland function and regulatory criteria.
  • Identify vascular plants, bryophytes, and common wetland indicator species across multiple regions and prepare species lists, cover estimates, and vegetation community descriptions to support delineation and monitoring.
  • Perform soil investigations including soil pit description, texture, color (Munsell), redoximorphic features, horizon identification, and laboratory soil analyses when required to verify hydric soils and support delineations and restoration planting plans.
  • Use GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS) and remote sensing tools (LiDAR, aerial imagery) to map wetlands, create deliverable-ready figures, perform spatial analyses (buffering, watershed delineation), and produce maps for reports and permit packages.
  • Manage project budgets, scopes, and schedules for field programs and restoration projects; track field costs, prepare estimates for proposals, and help maintain profitability targets.
  • Coordinate directly with federal, state, and local permitting agencies, prepare permit applications, respond to agency comments, and attend site meetings and public hearings as needed to facilitate regulatory approvals.
  • Lead multidisciplinary field crews, supervise technicians and subcontractors during installation, monitoring, and construction phases; ensure field safety, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and accurate data collection.
  • Develop and implement monitoring protocols for mitigation sites, native plantings, invasive species control, and long-term ecological performance; compile monitoring data and prepare periodic monitoring reports and success evaluations.
  • Conduct invasive species surveys, develop and execute control plans (mechanical, chemical, biological), and report on eradication effectiveness while complying with safety and pesticide application standards.
  • Prepare and present technical findings and outreach materials to landowners, stakeholders, permitting agencies, and interdisciplinary teams; translate scientific findings into plain-language summaries and regulatory justifications.
  • Perform seed collection, propagation, and native plant nursery coordination tasks to support restoration efforts, including developing seed mixes targeted to local eco-regions and coordinating planting logistics.
  • Oversee habitat assessments for threatened and endangered species and coordinate with wildlife specialists to minimize project impacts and ensure appropriate conservation measures are integrated into project designs.
  • Apply statistical and ecological methods to analyze vegetation, hydrology, and soil monitoring data; prepare tables, figures, and interpretive narrative to support adaptive management and decision-making.
  • Ensure compliance with safety protocols, field operating procedures, stormwater best management practices, and cultural resource protection during all field activities.
  • Prepare technical specifications and construction oversight documents for contractors, review submittals, and provide punch-list and acceptance documentation upon project completion.
  • Support proposal development and client relationship-building by drafting scopes of work, technical approaches, and contributing subject-matter expertise to win new restoration and compliance projects.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with grant writing, funding applications, and monitoring of deliverables for publicly funded wetland restoration and mitigation projects.
  • Contribute to development of organizational standards for wetland monitoring, data management, and project documentation to improve efficiency and defensibility.
  • Provide technical mentoring and training workshops for junior staff and partners on wetland delineation techniques, plant identification, and field safety.
  • Maintain and calibrate field equipment (GPS units, water level loggers, sediment samplers) and manage field inventory to ensure readiness for seasonal surveys.
  • Collaborate with GIS teams to build and maintain wetland inventories, spatial databases, and data visualization dashboards for clients and stakeholders.
  • Review and interpret environmental policy, regional wetland guidance, and regulatory changes; incorporate updates into project approaches and client advisories.
  • Support adaptive management by reviewing monitoring results, recommending remedial actions, and overseeing corrective measures on mitigation sites.
  • Participate in community outreach and education events, represent the organization at conferences, and publish or co-author technical notes, case studies, or peer-reviewed papers when appropriate.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Wetland delineation (USACE methods and regional supplements) and preparation of jurisdictional determinations
  • Plant taxonomy and wetland indicator status (regional native flora identification)
  • Hydrology monitoring and interpretation (installation and analysis of staff gauges, pressure transducers, and hydrographs)
  • Soil description, hydric soil identification, and soil sampling techniques (Munsell color, redoximorphic features)
  • GIS and spatial analysis (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) including geoprocessing, mapping, and spatial dataset QA/QC
  • Remote sensing and LiDAR interpretation for terrain and watershed analysis
  • Field data collection tools and mobile data apps (Collector for ArcGIS, Survey123, Fulcrum) and GNSS/GPS units
  • Technical report writing, permit application preparation (Section 404, state wetland permits), and regulatory compliance documentation
  • Restoration design and implementation (grading plans, native planting, erosion control, construction oversight)
  • Monitoring design and statistical analysis of ecological data (Excel, R, or Python for data summaries and visualizations)
  • Invasive species identification and control methods (mechanical and regulated herbicide application knowledge)
  • Project budgeting, cost tracking, and contractor oversight
  • Familiarity with NEPA/CEQA processes and environmental review documentation
  • Boat operation, ATVs, and remote access field logistics where applicable
  • First aid/CPR certification and experience managing field safety protocols

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication tailored to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Client-facing and stakeholder engagement skills with ability to negotiate and build consensus
  • Effective project management, organization, and time-management under multi-project timelines
  • Team leadership, mentoring, and the ability to supervise and motivate field crews
  • Problem-solving and adaptive thinking for dynamic field and regulatory challenges
  • Attention to detail and commitment to QA/QC in field data and technical deliverables
  • Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy when working with landowners, tribal entities, and regulators
  • Resilience and physical stamina for extended fieldwork in remote or challenging environments
  • Analytical mindset to synthesize multi-disciplinary data into actionable recommendations
  • Continuous-learning orientation to adopt new tools, regulations, and restoration practices

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Wetland Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Botany, Hydrology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Wetland Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Hydrology, or Environmental Science; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Wetland Ecology
  • Botany / Plant Sciences
  • Hydrology / Hydrogeology
  • Restoration Ecology / Environmental Restoration
  • Soil Science / Pedology
  • Environmental Science / Natural Resources Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of progressively responsible field and project experience in wetland delineation, restoration, or monitoring.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of professional experience in wetland assessments, mitigation design or monitoring, and regulatory permitting.
  • Demonstrated success managing restoration projects from design through monitoring.
  • Certifications such as Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), state wetland scientist certification, pesticide applicator license, or other relevant credentials are a plus.
  • Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel frequently for fieldwork and agency meetings.
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