Botanist/Ecologist at Westwood Professional Services in Minnetonka, MN

Botanist/Ecologist

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Botanist/Ecologist to join our Renewables team. The Botanist/Ecologist will be part of a team and assist with pre-construction and post-construction field surveys, reports, and developing Vegetation Management Plans. Strong plant identification skills and map-reading skills required. Successful candidates will take ownership of assigned tasks and deliverables, research appropriate plant species for solar energy sites, coordinate activities with clients and site managers, support senior staff, and build general knowledge of environmental consulting and the project lifecycle in their area of expertise. .

• Complete field work and reports for a variety of renewable energy and land development projects.
• Conduct pre- and post-construction surveys, including vegetation surveys, plant identification, weed surveys, stormwater compliance, and construction compliance monitoring.
• Develop site-specific vegetation management plans that meet local ordinances and site restrictions.
• Conduct stormwater inspections and assist with communication to regulatory agencies.
• Oversee the implementation and management of Stormwater Management Strategies (SMS).
• Author reports, emails, and documents for clients and agencies.
• Collect field data, photos, and clear notes on site conditions.
• Assist with plant identification from photographs.
• Perform additional ecological fieldwork, including wildlife habitat assessments and wetland delineations
• Take ownership of assigned tasks and deliverables, including report authorship and project-ownership responsibilities.
• Assign and manage tasks performed by Technicians/Interns and provide them with clear direction.
• Support senior staff and provide coverage in their absence
• Begin to build client relationships, coordinating activities with clients and site managers.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of stormwater regulations and laws, industry standards and practices, BMPs, and federal, state, and local compliance requirements.
• Increase general knowledge of environmental consulting and develop an understanding of the project lifecycle in your technical area

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Plant Biology, Botany, or a related field from a 4-year college.
• 0–5 years of experience.
• Sight identification of plants and familiarity with dichotomous keys.
• Map reading and navigating undeveloped areas on foot.
• Data collection using GIS platforms such as Field Maps, ArcMap, or similar.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Effective time and workload management skills.
• Working knowledge of MS Office.
• General knowledge of environmental consulting, formal/informal communication, and teamwork

For Preferred Consideration (Not Required):

• Graduate degree in plant biology, botany, ecology, or a related field.
• Habitat restoration experience.
• Pesticide application experience.
• HAZWOPER or OSHA compliance training.
• Familiarity with active construction sites.
• Wilderness safety training.
• Stormwater or trail management experience .

Working Conditions:

• Field Work: Independent, outdoor work for up to 10 hours a day in varied weather conditions (snow, heat, rain) is a regular and expected part of this role; the amount varies by season, discipline, and project assignment.
• Location: Field and office-based
• Physical Demands: Walking over uneven terrain, carrying field equipment, and working extended periods outdoors in varied conditions.
• PPE: As required for field conditions (field boots, high-visibility apparel, weather-appropriate gear).
• Travel: Frequent travel (driving and flying) to project sites nationwide, typically one to ten days at a time and particularly during field season

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.

We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.