Senior Scientist

Simply Put, A Great Place to Work

Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country – creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference.

We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you’ll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share.

At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. Diverse ideas come from diverse people, and we are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don’t meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don’t be so hard on yourself—apply for the job!

Senior Scientist - Natural Resources/Railroad

We are seeking to hire an experienced and highly skilled Senior Scientist to join our robust Natural Resources/Railroad team. This position involves both field and office assignments, focusing on projects related to NEPA compliance documentation, natural resource impacts, and permitting.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a Senior Scientist I level of competency and responsibility, overseeing various aspects of environmental projects with minimal supervision. This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented individual with strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to taking initiative.

Location

In line with our commitment to work/life balance, this role offers complete remote flexibility. As a valued member of the Benesch team, you can choose to work from any of our offices that host a Railroad team, including locations such as Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Naperville, IL; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Jacksonville, FL; Omaha, NE; and Raleigh, NC.

Benesch’s Railroad Division is made up of highly skilled rail professionals, many of whom are former employees of operating railroads. This firsthand experience working on designing and maintaining active rail systems uniquely equips our team to develop innovative solutions to a wide variety of rail projects.

The Impact You Will Have

• Demonstrate a Senior Scientist I level of competency, overseeing environmental projects with minimal supervision.
• Conduct on-site data collection, encompassing plant and vegetation, soil, cultural/historic features, wildlife, socio-economic factors, and environmental site assessments.
• Synthesize complex information, deriving meaningful insights for project elements and collected data.
• Research and apply data and design standards, ensuring accuracy and compliance in calculations and analysis.
• Utilize engineering judgment to interpret data, making informed decisions supporting project objectives.
• Identify data relationships and dependencies, designing workflows and procedures accordingly. Compile data into reports, incorporate information into databases, complete permit applications, and manage agency correspondence.
• Oversee, perform, and review inspections and construction observations associated with environmental projects.
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports and internal/external communications.
• Provide technical direction, coordinating assignments with others working on related tasks.
• Possess advanced knowledge in various environmental tasks, including wetland identification, wildlife surveys, T&E identification, and NEPA documentation.
• Guide routine project efforts assigned to staff, identifying viable alternatives to plans and designs based on collected data.
• Assist the Project Manager in developing work plans, QC/QA reviews, and managing contract deliverables, schedules, and budgets.
• Identify out-of-scope items and report to the Project Manager before work initiation.
• Effectively communicate with project teams and clients, clearly expressing ideas and thoughts.
• Exhibit strong analytical skills in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Demonstrate advanced technical writing skills in creating comprehensive reports and documentation.
• Select and use appropriate communication methods, exhibiting good listening and comprehension skills.
• Take initiative in learning and applying new skills, pursuing training and development opportunities.
• Seek increased responsibilities and share expertise with others within the team.
• Work towards obtaining national registration or certification in an area of specialization (e.g., PWS, NEPA Specialist) if not already obtained.
• Network and participate in professional organizations, taking on leadership roles.
• Interact with clients, project teams, and sub-consultants and actively contribute to project pursuits and proposal preparation.
• Adhere to all project and company safety guidelines.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• BS in Natural Resources in a related discipline
• Minimum 9 years of experience working on
• Hands-on experience in managing various aspects of environmental projects, including but not limited to NEPA compliance documentation, natural resource impact assessments, and permitting processes
• Demonstrated expertise in synthesizing complex information, applying data and design standards, and utilizing engineering judgment for interpreting data in the context of natural resource projects.
• Strong research skills and application of data and design standards to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Proven ability to identify problems in a timely manner and develop alternative solutions.
• Technical writing skills to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills, pursuing training and development opportunities.
  
  

Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch!

At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch!

Professional Development

• Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
• Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions
• Personalized training and career development plans with your manager
• Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications
• Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement
  
  

Retirement Benefits

• Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge
• Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%)
  
  

Work/Life Balance

• Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role)
• Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career
• Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events
• Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement
  
  

Employee Engagement

• Opportunities to contribute beyond regular job duties
• Work-Life Team: Implements programs to boost productivity and work-life balance
• Rewards & Recognition Team: Cultivates a culture of appreciation
• Corporate Social Responsibility Team: Manages matching gift programs, community service, student scholarships, and more
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Team: Promotes positive change and supports a diverse workforce.
  
  

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

Benesch is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action/ Disability/ Protected Veteran Employer. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the below documents:

Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

EEO Information

For more information about pay transparency, please download the below document:

Pay Transparency Policy Statement

We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found.

Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment.

If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing TalentAcquisition@benesch.com. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: Benesch is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to a Benesch employee without a recent, current, and fully executed agreement on file. Please direct all communications to the HR team at TalentAcquisition@Benesch.com