Senior Scientist/Planner

Alfred Benesch & Company
parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
Jul 30, 2025
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. 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/Planner We are looking for a mid-level professional to join our Raleigh team. This individual will assist with both field and office assignments on projects addressing potential environmental elements such as NEPA compliance documentation and reviews, natural resource impacts, and/or permitting with moderate supervision by a Project Manager or assigned staff. This candidate will work with other Scientists and staff assigned to projects. This candidate will also work on planning projects, studies, and task-level planning for larger multi-disciplinary projects. Location This position will have a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in the office (or field); the position will report to the Raleigh office. A hybrid work schedule to allow working from home to occur up to 2 days per week. The Impact You Will Have Collect, integrate, perform, and review complex calculations and analysis of project elements, and collect data for use in documentation, design, permitting and/or analysis of project systems or solutions and verify accuracy of outputs Field responsibilities include on-site data collection and documentation of plants and vegetation, soil, cultural/historic features, wildlife, socio-economic features and environmental site assessments Office activities may include compiling data into a report or other formal document, incorporating data into a database, completing permit applications and preparation of agency correspondence Demonstrate Intermediate technical knowledge of inputs and methodology associated with various environmental tasks: wetland identification and monitoring; wildlife surveys; T&E identification; planning studies; and/or preparation of NEPA documentation Demonstrate professional presence, with solid decision-making, organizational and analytical skills Effectively communicate with project team and clients Interact with clients, project teams and subconsultants, and assist in project pursuits and preparation of proposals Perform technical analysis within planning service area Prepare clear and concise technical reports Assist Project Manager in developing works plans; begin to understand the overall required plan content, schedule and budget for project deliverables Assist with project quality control/quality assurance Begin preparing scopes/budgets for task orders and small-scale projects Manage execution of task orders and small-scale projects Coordinate preparation of data and materials for client/public meetings and other presentations Comply with all projects and company safety guidelines What You Will Need 2 to 6 years of relevant experience Bachelor's degree in related field required Working toward a professional certification strongly preferred American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Environmental Scientist (CES), Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP), or similar Strong motivation and drive Exhibit good communication and intrapersonal skills Strong organization and ability to perform services efficiently and within budgets and schedules Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment 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 Team Leaders, 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 At Benesch, we encourage our team members to extend their impact beyond their core responsibilities. Join our employee resource groups and committees to enhance your work-life balance and contribute to our community-focused initiatives. We support a variety of programs including community service, student scholarships, and matching gift opportunities, reflecting our commitment to a vibrant and diverse workplace. If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here. Benesch is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants in all protected groups, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws. Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal 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 emailingTalentAcquisition@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