Assistant Project Biologist - Field Coordinator

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Biologist - Field Coordinator (Avian) to support our New Mexico natural resources program. This position is a regular, full-time, hourly position and will be approximately 50% field-based and 50% office based. The primary focus of the role will be to coordinate field survey logistics, oversee avian point count data collection, safety, and staff field deployment and supervision. Under supervision of a Natural Resources Team Lead and Project Manager, an Assistant Project Biologist - Field Coordinator performs field and office based tasks while working with and supervising crew members.  Field work will occur in NE New Mexico supporting a major wind energy project.

The Field Coordinator will manage all aspects of fieldwork, supervising one or more crews of avian field technicians and crew leads. They will also assist with office-based tasks, including writing daily, safety, and technical reports.  Project work may include overtime hours, and often require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays.

Candidates local to the New/Mexico/Four Corners region (or neighboring states) with familiarity with SW USA birds and fauna, 4x4 truck, and ATV and trailing experience are strongly preferred.

The ability to pass a drug screening is REQUIRED.

Our Vision (the North Star), Core Values, and Purpose:  Help drive SWCA to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership.

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

What you will accomplish

• Ensure safety of field crews and follow SWCA safety rules, guidelines, and best practices.
• Supervise staff and fieldwork, including avian surveys and point counts, and potentially other faunal studies.
• Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets and Geodes.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Field Coordinators will also assist with office-based tasks, especially report writing and data QA/QC.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources field (i.e., biology, wildlife biology or management, environmental studies or science, or related field)
• At least three years of relevant industry experience required, with at least a year of environmental consulting work preferred.
• At least two years of field experience in the SW USA strongly preferred with a strong avian background.
• Previous experience supervising staff preferred.
• Dedication to safety with experience implementing safety protocols in the field.
• Extremely organized and meticulous with ensuring survey, documentation, and paperwork are complete.
• Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision making.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.
• Has demonstrated skills relating to QA/QC review of field documents and data.
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours (sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and at high altitudes), plus additional hours organizing paperwork/emails daily.
• Ability to provide guidance and feedback on crew performance as per company guidelines.
• Has enough experience to be able to easily deal with the unexpected (changes in weather, changes in client demands, changes in crew makeup or size, etc.).
• Active 40-hour HAZWOPER certification preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certified preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record, and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.
• The ability to pass a drug screening is REQUIRED.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Albuquerque office -based position can expect a salary of $26.25/hour to $34.25/hr. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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