Careers
Ascent provides clients with personally engaged professionals dedicated to meeting higher standards by applying leading-edge thinking to environmental issues. Ascent staff are experts in compliance with environmental planning laws and regulations, including CEQA, NEPA, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) codes and policies, and other federal, state, and local regulations.
Ascent offers a supportive, fun, and intellectually challenging work environment and excellent benefits. We invest in our employees’ careers and welfare and strive for high-quality work and services for our clients. We offer flexible work hours, opportunities to work on important and challenging projects, opportunities to contribute and give back to our local communities, recognition and performance awards. Let Ascent be your career employer.
Botanist/Wetland Ecologist
Ascent Environmental, Inc. is seeking a botanist/wetland ecologist to join our growing natural resources practice based in Sacramento, California. The candidate will be working on interesting and important projects located throughout the Sierra Nevada and northern and central California. Responsibilities include floristic inventories, rare plant surveys, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, vegetation classification and mapping, as well as preparation of technical reports, impact assessments and mitigation plans in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act/National Environmental Policy Act (CEQA/NEPA), and resource management plans.
Key Responsibilities: provide technical botanical/wetland support for complex and challenging projects; identify plants using taxonomic keys; assess and delineate wetlands and other waters of the United States in accordance with USACE methodology and standards; wetland regulatory permitting support; competent use of GPS, topographic maps, and other mapping technologies; evaluate potential impacts under CEQA and/or NEPA and develop mitigation recommendations; prepare concise and objectively written technical reports; communicate and collaborate with other environmental staff
Education/Experience
The qualified candidate will have a BS (MS Preferred) in Biology, Ecology, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Required skills include extensive knowledge of California habitats and flora, especially wetlands. Candidates must have excellent writing, communication, and analytical skills. Experience is desired in compliance with CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 404 and 401, federal and California Endangered Species Act (ESA), Fish and Game Code Section 1602 agreements, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) codes and policies, and other federal, state, and local regulations.
Senior Regulatory Specialist
Senior Regulatory Specialist
We are seeking a senior-level regulatory specialist to join our natural resources practice based in Sacramento, California. The candidate will be working on interesting and complex projects located throughout California. Responsibilities include developing permitting strategies and performing technical work involving reviewing wetland delineations, Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permitting, CWA Section 401 certification, federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and California Endangered Species Act (CESA) permitting, and California Department of Fish and Game Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreements pursuant to California Fish and Game Code Sections 1600–1607. Mitigation and conservation planning experience is needed. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain client relationships, manage a portfolio of ongoing biological projects, and mentor entry level biological professionals.
Key responsibilities: manage and provide technical and regulatory support for complex and challenging projects; work directly with clients to provide strategic advice and project management throughout all stages of the regulatory permitting process; prepare budgets and identify tasks while carrying out project work within agreed time frames and budgets; lead teams of technical specialists to support the permitting process; create technical documents and provide senior review of technical documents that support regulatory submissions; contribute to and lead business development activities, including proposals, pre-qualifications, and relationship building with clients and prospective clients; communicate and collaborate with other environmental staff to ensure consistency in project execution and contribute to the development of junior staff; and contribute to CEQA and/or NEPA documents related to wetland and endangered species regulatory issues and resultant environmental effects.
Education/Experience
The qualified candidate will have at least a BS in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of experience as a regulatory specialist. Strong knowledge of CWA Sections 404 and 401, California Fish and Game Code Sections 1600–1607, ESA Sections 7 and 10, and CESA Section 2081 is important, including understanding of agency guidance, recent court rulings, interpretations, and preparation of permit applications. Excellent reputation and relationship with regulatory agency staff is desired. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Assistant Environmental Project Manager
We are seeking an experienced CEQA/NEPA professional to assist with the management of a variety of interesting and complex environmental projects. The Assistant Environmental Project Manager will be responsible for assisting the project manager with client, project, and team management of medium to large environmental projects. This is an excellent opportunity for environmental professionals interested in advancing their project management career working with experts in the field. The position requires strong CEQA/NEPA knowledge, ability to coordinate multiple activities, and ability to manage a team of technical staff. Strong analytical, computer, and writing skills are required. Project opportunities are mostly in northern California, the Sierra Nevada, and the Central Valley, but may include work elsewhere in California.
Education/ Experience
Qualified candidates will have a BS/MS in planning, environmental studies, geography, natural resources, or related field and 3 to 7 years experience, including project coordination/assistant project management, CEQA/NEPA expertise, and strong interpersonal skills. A record of successful environmental planning projects and effective working relationships with clients and regulatory agencies is also desired.