Career Center

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (“Commission”), the nationally regarded regional planning agency for the seven county greater Milwaukee area, and the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the five urbanized areas within southeastern Wisconsin, is seeking applicants for a Biologist / Water Resources Specialist. The Commission is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our diverse team of planners, engineers and specialists focused on addressing issues that transcend the political boundaries and fiscal capabilities of individual communities. The successful individual will be part of an interdisciplinary team identifying, planning, and conducting water resource management projects.

Are you driven by solving regional-level issues? Are you passionate about collaborating with colleagues and partners to provide best-in-class research that educates the public? The Commission provides these and other opportunities by ensuring that the Region is positioned to provide economic, environmental, and equitable value now and in the future. Our team of ~65 staff with a wide range of expertise is focused on continuously improving the quality of life for the Region.

Core Responsibilities:

• Coordinate lake and stream resource planning work and activities;
• Collaborate with local governments and non-governmental organizations
• Communicate with the public
• Conduct field work, data collection, and analysis (lotic and lentic systems)
• Prepare technical writing (draw meaning from data and synthesize solutions)
• Conduct project scoping, grant writing, and staff training.

Core Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with an emphasis in limnology, aquatic sciences, or a closely related field with either three years of related work experience or a relevant Master’s degree. (A Master’s or Doctoral degree in the aforementioned areas of study with course work in limnology, restoration ecology, water resource or environmental engineering, or hydrology is preferable.)
• Public speaking and interaction, client and project management, ability to work with disparate viewpoints
• Concept development, the ability to view natural resource projects on a holistic basis, and ability to effectively work in challenging outdoor conditions
• Excellent writing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft software, statistical R packages for data analysis, and ESRI mapping and analytics (ArcGIS-Pro, Field Maps, Collector) for resource mapping