Eric Schneider is a senior environmental scientist with over 26 years of experience in environmental sciences, largely involving environmental analysis, restoration, and regulation. His work has focused on providing environmental support for numerous transportation projects and environmental studies, developing restoration and monitoring plans, and conducting biological assessments and surveys throughout the southeastern U.S.
What is your favorite ESA moment/memory so far?
Orchestrating wildlife agency approvals and conducting marine wildlife observations for the Pensacola Bay Bridge underwater blast, under a very tight schedule and expectations to complete the blast prior to opening of the west-bound travel lanes.
What does it mean to you to be part of an employee-owned company?
Being part of a team that communicates and is connected to focus on the goals and best interests of all employee-owners for the company’s profitability.
What keeps you coming to work here at ESA every day?
Being part of an employee-owned company is #1. After that it’s the creative and complex projects we get involved in to keep things exciting!
What is your hidden or special talent(s)?
I like to plan well in advance and think through potential obstacles.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are out of the office?
Multiple things, but the best time is being able to combine several of these activities into one day: camping (from primitive to something with AC), biking (mountain, gravel & road), water sports, and disc golf.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
Something outside, preferably in less than 60% humidity!
What are three skills that you bring to the ESA team? In other words, what should colleagues know to reach out to you about?
- State and federal wetlands and wildlife regulations
- Have over 18 years’ of natural resource experience in the Transporation sector
- Have 4 years experience working on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response
In a nutshell, what kind of work does your team do?
I’m in the Southeast Transporation Group, so all things natural environment related to transportation planning and permitting.
Describe your role at ESA and the type of work you do.
I’m in the Transportation Group but collaborate with Bio-Resources, Water Resources and Airports to work on complex projects that focus on natural environment assessments.
What’s been your favorite project to work on here at ESA and what impact did it have on the community and/or environment?
US 98 Brooks Bridge Desing Build. Once the Design Build Team took ownership of the project it was up to me to facilitate obtaining the US Coast Guard Bridge Permit and other State of Florida permits, all while meeting the project schedule. The community will hopefully benefit from a new, safer bridge that is built on schedule.
Have you had the opportunity to work on any career-defining projects?
With 26 years of experience, I’ve worked on a lot of different large-scale restoration projects, studies and protection plans. I’m always looking to add the next big project to the list of potential career-defining projects!
