Scientist IV - Ecology

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

RES is looking for a Scientist IV to join our team.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Coastal Ecologist looking for a challenge.  As a Scientist IV at RES, you’ll serve as a senior technical expert, project team leader, and mentor to early-career scientists. You will manage interdisciplinary field teams, conduct advanced scientific analysis, and ensure that data collection and reporting meet technical, regulatory, and quality standards.  This is an opportunity to lead ecological efforts in coastal environments, and support and lead business development initiatives.

The ideal candidate combines a strong technical background in coastal ecosystems with proven leadership, project management, marketing, and client engagement skills. This individual will work closely with field staff, project managers, and business development staff to drive project success and growth in RES’ coastal and marine sector.

This position is based in our Fort Lauderdale, FL office, and the selected candidate is expected to work from the office via a hybrid schedule. Some travel and overnight stays are anticipated. Approximately 20 - 30% of your time will be spent in the field, supporting projects across Florida.

Why You’ll Love This Job

• You’ll be a go-to technical expert. Your insights and leadership will shape project decisions, mentor rising talent, and support ecological outcomes in Florida.

• You’ll lead meaningful science. Whether it’s analyzing coastal habitats, developing mitigation plans, or designing sampling protocols, your work will directly impact restoration success.

• You’ll have variety and influence. One day might involve designing field sampling methodology/approach; the next, presenting scientific findings to a client or regulatory agency.

• You’ll help grow people and projects. As a senior scientist, you’ll mentor junior team members, guide their growth, and shape technical strategy at every project phase.

A Day in the Life

Your day might begin by leading a morning field briefing for a multi-disciplinary team, conducting a benthic survey at a project site, or,  presenting to stakeholders and prospective clients about an upcoming opportunity. You’ll serve as technical lead on coastal restoration, permitting, and coastal mitigation projects. In the office, you might QA/QC monitoring data, advise on permitting language, or develop a mitigation plan for an upcoming project.

As a senior team member, you may be reviewing reports for scientific accuracy, contributing to the technical content of proposals, or collaborating with clients to develop site-specific assessment strategies. You are also actively mentoring junior scientists, answering fieldwork questions, or guiding them through advanced ecological methods or regional permitting nuances. You will also play a lead role in identifying, pursuing, and securing coastal projects by working closely with business development and client service teams.

We would like to talk to you if you have many of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, marine biology, or a related field

• 10+ years of scientific experience, or 8+ years with an advanced degree

• Strong project leadership skills, including field planning, workload management, and scientific coordination

• Client-facing experience with technical proposal development and scientific presentation

• Significant experience with scientific data collection, QA/QC, analysis, and reporting

• Advanced knowledge in at least one, and broad knowledge across several, ecological or environmental scientific disciplines

• Proficiency in GIS tools, scientific software, and data visualization

• Experience in collaborating with regulatory agencies, interpreting SOPs, and applying permitting framework

You will thrive in this position if you: 

• Enjoy leading and training multidisciplinary field teams in dynamic environments

• Take pride in mentoring junior staff and fostering technical growth in others

• Enjoy building strong client relationships, identifying strategic opportunities, and helping shape the future of coastal restoration and resilience work.

What would make you stand out?

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline

• Certifications such as PWS, CWB, CERP, PG, CEP, or specialized state or federal licenses

• Publication in scientific journals or leadership in professional organizations

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.