Protected Species Biologist (Transportation Planner 1)

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be eligible. 

The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking for a Protected Species Biologist (Transportation Planner 1) to join our Protected Species and Natural Areas Team within the Iowa DOT’s Location and Environment Bureau. The core function of the Location and Environment Bureau is to balance transportation project delivery, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship for Iowa’s transportation interests.

Our Protected Species Biologist position reviews transportation project plans to assess potential impacts on protected species, critical habitats, and other protected natural areas. These project plan reviews are guided by state and federal regulations.

This isn’t just a desk job—you’ll split your time between the office and the field. Whether you are reviewing plans, performing field assessments, or determining potential impacts to species, your work will help ensure important projects stay on track and comply with environmental regulations.

Desired Abilities:

• Working collaboratively with diverse group of people  
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Maintaining an attitude of determination and dedication   
• Displaying high standards of ethical conduct
• Treating customers courteously and being responsive to their needs 
• Commitment to providing high-quality products and service 
• Addressing and listening to others in a respectful manner 

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing proposed Iowa DOT transportation project plans to assess potential impacts on protected species, critical habitats, and other protected areas.
• Ensuring project plans comply with state, federal, and local environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
• Developing memos, survey reports, and other documentation as inputs into the project planning and design process. 
• Attending meetings and working closely with internal transportation planners, engineers, wetland biologists, cultural resources managers, and NEPA staff to review/minimize/mitigate project impacts.
• Managing consultants to complete field surveys and assessments to assist with protected species program activities.
• Developing and coordinating minimization and mitigation plans for unavoidable project impacts to protected species, critical habitats, and other natural areas. 
• Consulting and coordinating with regulatory agencies. 

Location: Ames, IA – Location and Environment Bureau, 800 Lincoln Way

Schedule and Travel: 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Flexible schedule and telework arrangements available. Some travel and overnight stays. 

Additional Requirements: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Preferred background:

• Education and/or experience in biology and natural resources is essential for this position.

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected as our Protected Species Biologist will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply now!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal-opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us.

Reasonable accommodation, such as an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

450 Natural Resources
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of more than one of the following: 

• Ecology 
• Environmental planning 
• Soil conservation 
• Biological sciences 
• Waste water treatment 
• Forestry 
• Engineering related to natural resource areas (dams, sanitary engineers, etc.) 
• Outdoor recreation planning 
• Physical sciences 
• River basin planning 
• Geography 
• Wildlife management
  

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
 
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil/transportation/traffic engineering, environmental engineering, finance, business administration, supply chain management, data science, geography, economics, mathematics, community development planning, regional planning, urban planning, aviation (technology, management, or flight operations), or transportation planning. 
2) A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience, where one year of full-time work experience in civil/transportation/traffic engineering, environmental engineering, finance, business administration, supply chain management, data science, geography, economics, mathematics, community development planning, regional planning, urban planning, aviation (technology, management, or flight operations), or transportation planning equals thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work (as described in number one).

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.