Job Information
AECOM Mid-level Botanist in Oakland, California
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a talented mid-level botanist (Botanist II) with experience in protocol-level botanical surveys, botanical habitat assessments, vegetation characterization and mapping, and/ or wetland ecology. This hybrid position is based in AECOM’s Oakland office and would support a variety of clients on projects throughout northern California.
The Natural and Cultural Resources Department employs more than 45 staff, including botanists, climate ecologists, permitting specialists, wildlife biologists, and cultural resource specialists. The Department is dynamic, energetic, and one where hard work is rewarded. Project work at this office is primarily related to utilities, transportation, infrastructure, and restoration, and involves field surveys, restoration planning, environmental permitting, NEPA/CEQA compliance, and project monitoring. Field work is often local, but occasionally may include overnight travel to other locations, such as the Central Coast, Sierra Nevada foothills or other states.
The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
Protocol-level rare plant surveys; rare plant census counts; quantitative vegetation monitoring; botanical assessments; non-native invasive plant mapping and management; implementation of rare plant mitigation and monitoring; and/or vegetation classification and mapping independently and as part of a team.
Preparation of technical reports, including botanical survey reports, daily field reports, habitat assessments, vegetation classifications, monitoring reports, and/or sections thereof.
Successfully balance field work and office responsibilities.
Implement electronic data collection methods and manage field data.
Work under supervision of a project manager or senior-level team member.
Travel to field locations with occasional out-of-town overnight stays.
Other responsibilities may include:
Preparation of conservation plans; habitat management plans; environmental permitting documents; environmental impact reports and statements; and mitigation and monitoring plans, including recommendations for avoidance and minimization of impacts to botanical and biological resources.
Natural resource surveys wildlife, hydrology, geomorphology, and/or habitat assessments
Conducting pre-construction surveys of project sites.
Providing environmental trainings to construction crews.
Monitoring of construction sites for compliance with resource agency permits.
Monitoring tree and weed management crews during vegetation removal in sensitive habitats.
About AECOM’s Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it. We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.
AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects are diverse and interesting. They span market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems within diverse community profiles.
AECOM’s Sustainable Legacies program describes our approach to the environment, social equity and governance (ESG.) We embed sustainability throughout our business and help clients embed sustainable practices into their work. We help clients reduce their impact on the environment, achieve compliance and reduce risks.
Qualifications
Must Have Skills/Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in botany, ecology, or other closely related discipline.
2 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education with botanical field work, which may include protocol-level special-status plant surveys, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, vegetation classification, non-native invasive plant surveys, or other relevant field assignments.
Valid driver license required and must be able to safely drive to job sites.
Capability to work long field days (10-12 hours) involving hiking in rough terrain, on occasion and as needed.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
Knowledge of and experience with San Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Nevada foothills, and/or Central Coast flora, including use of local floras and dichotomous keys.
Possess knowledge of botanical and wetland regulations and best practices.
Experience collecting plant voucher specimens for submittal to an herbarium.
Experience reviewing CNDDB records and preparing tables analyzing the potential for rare plants to occur at specific sites.
Experience with restoration planning, seed collection, land and resource management plans, grazing management plans, non-native invasive plant management plans, mitigation and monitoring reports, annual monitoring reports, or habitat conservation plans.
Proficiency with Northern California flora; ability to site-identify plants and plant communities in the field (terrestrial and aquatic habitats).
Possess fluency with plant identification tools including The Jepson eFlora and other dichotomous keys, local floras, the Manual of California Vegetation , and electronic resources (e.g. CalFlora, Jepson eFlora).
Strong technical writing skills to prepare high-quality documents and other technical reports.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally in person, virtually, and through email to maintain positive relationships with managers, colleagues, subcontractors, and clients.
Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects as needed.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Ability to create and maintain tracking spreadsheets and documents.
CNPS Field or Consulting Botanist Certification.
Prior consulting experience preferred, but non-consultant candidates with relevant experience will be considered.
Data and statistical analysis experience.
Knowledge of wetland ecology and/or wetland delineation experience.
Prior experience in environmental permitting.
Additional Information
- Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.
Offered compensation will be based on location and individual qualifications. The expected range is $70,000.00 - $82,000.00.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
ReqID: J10126273
Business Line: Environment
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: West
Career Area: Science
Work Location Model: Hybrid
Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc