Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wetland Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a Wetland Consultant to lead on-site wetland delineations, regulatory permitting and agency coordination, ecological and hydrologic assessments, mitigation planning and monitoring, and technical reporting for public- and private-sector projects. The Wetland Consultant will apply expert knowledge of wetland science, Clean Water Act permitting, NEPA requirements, and state regulations to evaluate impacts, design compliant mitigation, and deliver high-quality, defensible documentation to clients and regulatory agencies. This role blends field work (seasonal surveys, vegetation and soils identification) with office-based analysis (GIS mapping, permit application preparation, reporting, and client liaison).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wetland Field Technician / Field Biologist
Environmental Scientist / Ecologist
GIS Analyst with environmental experience

Advancement To:

Senior Wetland Consultant / Senior Ecologist
Project Manager, Environmental Permitting
Restoration Design Lead / Technical Lead
Principal Environmental Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Permitting Specialist
Regulatory Affairs or Agency Liaison
Habitat Restoration Designer
Surface Water / Watershed Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough on-site wetland delineations using regional Corps of Engineers Manuals and state-specific guidance, documenting hydrology, soils, and vegetation to support jurisdictional determinations under the Clean Water Act.
Prepare formal jurisdictional determination (JD) reports and regulatory submittals for USACE, state agencies, and tribal authorities, clearly describing methods, results, and regulatory conclusions.
Lead permit application preparation and submission for federal (Section 404/401), state, and local wetland and stream permits, including Nationwide Permit verifications, Individual Permits, and state water quality certifications.
Coordinate directly with regulatory agency staff (USACE, EPA, state environmental agencies, local permitting authorities) to resolve technical questions, negotiate permit conditions, and obtain timely approvals.
Design wetland mitigation, restoration, enhancement, and creation plans that meet regulatory performance standards, including planting plans, grading plans, hydrology restoration strategies, and long-term stewardship recommendations.
Develop and implement wetland mitigation monitoring plans, conduct periodic monitoring visits, document success/failure metrics, and prepare monitoring reports to satisfy permit compliance requirements.
Perform ecological baseline assessments, habitat evaluations, and functional/condition assessments (e.g., HGM, WET, Floristic Quality Assessment) to quantify wetland function and value for impact assessments and permitting.
Conduct vegetation surveys, plant community mapping, and rare or sensitive species reconnaissance following accepted protocols, and integrate findings into permitting and impact analyses.
Undertake hydrologic assessments and watershed analyses to determine surface and groundwater connections, water table dynamics, floodplain interactions, and potential impacts to wetland hydrology.
Produce high-quality technical reports, jurisdictional determination packages, permit narratives, environmental assessments, and NEPA documentation that are defensible, well-referenced, and client-ready.
Create detailed GIS maps and deliverables (ArcGIS Pro/Online) including delineation polygons, hydrologic connectivity layers, aerial imagery interpretation, and geospatial analyses to support permitting and design.
Conduct pre-construction biological surveys and provide construction monitoring to ensure compliance with permit conditions, protect wetland resources during earthwork, and implement best management practices.
Provide technical guidance on avoidance, minimization, and compensatory mitigation strategies to reduce regulatory risk and streamline project approvals for transportation, energy, real estate, and development clients.
Prepare cost estimates, scopes of work, and schedules for wetland services; assist business development by contributing to proposals, technical qualifications, and client presentations.
Coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams (engineers, hydrologists, ecologists, GIS professionals) to integrate wetland science into permit packages, restoration plans, and construction documents.
Conduct field reconnaissance and feasibility assessments for potential restoration or mitigation sites, evaluating soil suitability, hydrology, access, and long-term viability.
Manage project budgets, invoicing milestones, and client communications while maintaining high standards for documentation, QA/QC, and client satisfaction.
Train and mentor junior staff and technicians in field protocols, delineation techniques, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance best practices.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and local wetland regulations, guidance documents, and agency practices; translate regulatory changes into actionable project strategies.
Lead interdisciplinary environmental impact assessments and coordinate wetland input for NEPA compliance documents (EAs, EISs) and other environmental reviews.
Provide expert witness testimony, technical memoranda, and support for dispute resolution or enforcement actions related to wetland delineations, permit compliance, or mitigation success.
Implement health and safety plans for field operations, including seasonal hazard planning, confined space awareness, and coordination of field logistics and sampling protocols.
Oversee collection, management, and archiving of field data, photos, and laboratory samples (soils, vegetation), ensuring chain-of-custody, accurate metadata, and reproducible analysis.

Secondary Functions

Support proposal development and business development activities by contributing technical writing, qualifications, and scopes for wetland and permitting work.
Assist with client training sessions, workshops, and stakeholder meetings to communicate wetland issues, permit requirements, and mitigation options.
Maintain and improve company wetland methodologies, checklists, and standard operating procedures to ensure consistent, defensible deliverables.
Help respond to ad-hoc project inquiries, feasibility requests, and preliminary siting studies to inform early-phase project decisions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Demonstrated expertise in wetland delineation following USACE Regional Supplements and applicable state manuals.
Experience preparing and submitting Section 404/401 Clean Water Act permit applications, Nationwide Permit verifications, and Individual Permit packages.
Proficiency with GIS (ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online) for mapping delineations, producing figures, and spatial analyses.
Strong botanical identification skills, including ability to identify regional wetland plants, invasive species, and assess plant community composition.
Competency in hydrologic assessment techniques, wetland hydrology indicators, and use of hydrology monitoring equipment (piezometers, staff gauges).
Knowledge of wetland functional assessment tools (e.g., HGM, WET, Floristic Quality Assessment) and experience applying them in the field and reports.
Technical report writing skills with the ability to produce permit narratives, technical memoranda, mitigation plans, and monitoring reports.
Familiarity with NEPA documentation, environmental impact assessments, and coordination with federal/state environmental review processes.
Field data collection and QA/QC skills, including GPS data collection, photo documentation, and sample handling protocols.
Experience designing and implementing wetland mitigation and restoration plans, including planting plans, grading, and long-term performance criteria.
Experience using remote sensing and aerial imagery interpretation for pre-field evaluation and delineation support.
Proficiency with office software: Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management tools.
Understanding of erosion control, sediment management, and construction BMPs relevant to wetland protection during grading and development.

Soft Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client interaction, agency coordination, and technical report production.
Strong project management skills: scheduling, budgeting, team coordination, and meeting deliverables under tight timelines.
Client-facing professionalism, ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders and regulatory staff.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to assess complex regulatory issues and propose practical compliance strategies.
Attention to detail and commitment to producing defensible, high-quality technical documentation.
Leadership and mentorship skills to train junior staff and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
Flexibility for seasonal fieldwork and ability to work in variable weather and terrain conditions.
Strong organizational skills, record-keeping, and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
Negotiation and stakeholder engagement capabilities to facilitate approvals and consensus.
Ethical decision-making and commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Wetland Science, Natural Resources, or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Wetland Ecology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or related discipline.
Professional certifications (e.g., Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Wetland Delineator, Certified Ecologist) are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Wetland Ecology / Wetland Science
Environmental Science / Environmental Studies
Biology / Ecology / Botany
Hydrology / Watershed Science
Natural Resource Management / Restoration Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3 to 10+ years of professional wetland consulting experience depending on level (mid-level to senior).

Preferred:

5+ years of direct experience performing wetland delineations, permit preparation (Section 404/401), agency coordination, and mitigation design/monitoring.
Proven track record working with USACE and state regulatory agencies, preparing defensible JDs, and managing mitigation monitoring compliance.
Experience leading small project teams, mentoring junior staff, and delivering high-quality, timely permit packages and technical reports.