Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Groundwater Monitoring • Sustainability Reporting • NPDES

WOTUS

Term from Environmental Consulting industry explained for recruiters

WOTUS (Waters of the United States) is a key term in environmental work that defines which water bodies are protected under federal law. Think of it as a classification system that helps determine which streams, wetlands, and other water features need special permits and protection. Environmental professionals work with WOTUS rules to help companies and organizations understand if their projects need federal permits or environmental reviews. It's similar to how a building code tells you which structures need permits, but for water resources instead.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted over 50 WOTUS determinations for construction projects across three states

Led team preparations for new Waters of the United States regulatory changes

Prepared environmental compliance documentation including WOTUS assessments for federal permits

Typical job title: "Environmental Consultants"

Also try searching for:

Environmental Specialist Wetland Specialist Environmental Compliance Specialist Water Resources Specialist Environmental Permit Coordinator Clean Water Act Specialist Environmental Project Manager

Where to Find Environmental Consultants

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you stay current with changes in WOTUS regulations and how do you implement these changes in your work?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss following EPA and Army Corps updates, attending industry conferences, updating internal procedures, and training staff on new requirements. Should mention experience managing projects through regulatory changes.

Q: Describe a challenging WOTUS determination you've handled and how you resolved it.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with complex cases, ability to coordinate with federal agencies, and success in finding compliant solutions for clients while managing project timelines and budgets.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What documentation do you typically prepare for a WOTUS determination?

Expected Answer: Should mention field surveys, photographs, mapping, written reports, and coordination with regulatory agencies. Should understand documentation requirements for different types of water features.

Q: How do you explain WOTUS requirements to clients who aren't familiar with environmental regulations?

Expected Answer: Should show ability to communicate complex regulatory requirements in simple terms, explain potential project impacts, and outline necessary steps for compliance.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic features that might qualify as Waters of the United States?

Expected Answer: Should be able to list major categories like navigable waters, tributaries, and adjacent wetlands, showing basic understanding of WOTUS classification.

Q: What tools and resources do you use to identify potential WOTUS features?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic tools like aerial photos, topographic maps, wetland maps, and field assessment methods used to identify water features.