Lead-Level Biologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead-Level Biologist with experience in natural resource management and wildlife biology for our Albuquerque, NM or Durango, CO office.  We are seeking a candidate who is looking to develop or continue a long-term consulting career that combines high-level technical expertise, strong writing skills, business acumen and the potential for leadership. Responsibilities will include managing projects, serving as technical lead on natural resources and wildlife projects, writing and editing technical reports, natural resource planning, and coordinating a multi-disciplinary team. It is anticipated that low to moderate travel will be required for the position.

Job Titles for this role are either:

• Lead Biologist – Typically with at least eight (8) years of relevant industry experience and expertise; or,
• Senior Biologist – Typically with at least ten (10) years of relevant industry experience and expertise.

This is a permanent, salaried, full-time, regular position, reporting to SWCA’s Senior Natural Resources Team Lead out of our Albuquerque office. The position will can be located in either our Albuquerque, NM office or our Durango, CO office.  Hybrid work environments are available.

Our Vision (the North Star)****:  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.

Core Values**:** 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.

Purpose**:** Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

• Serve as project manager and technical lead on a variety of natural resources and wildlife biology projects.  As a project manager, you will maintain budgets, schedule, quality of service, and staff safety.
• Work with Corporate accounting department to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits for projects/tasks.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to staff-level biologists and field staff.
• Conduct or lead a variety of natural resources studies including threatened/endangered species assessments, environmental assessments, and biological reports and evaluations documentation.
• Lead, organize, review, and transfer field data, and write/review technical reports and permit applications and provide subject matter expert review related to Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, local municipal and county regulations, and other resource planning/permitting relevant in New Mexico and the general region.
• Prepare reports and permit documents as the primary author and conduct quality assurance/quality control for a variety of renewable energy project types and sizes.
• Work closely with a project team to complete biological resource management tasks.
• Take initiative and resolve issues in an independent manner.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities; and,
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, or wildlife biology, in either the public or private sector.  At least three (3) years of experience in the environmental consulting industry.
• Experience leading and managing others, either in a project management or technical/team lead capacity.
• Experience working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists.
• Proficiency in writing natural resources technical reports -- these may include those related to the Endangered Species Act; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; and/or other biological requirements.

Preferred or Helpful

• Experience in managing projects with a variety of different clients in the transmission, generation, transportation, or land development sectors.
• Experience in preparing reports and permits as primary author for a variety of projects.
• Demonstrated business development success, including proposal writing, budget development, and client interaction.
• Ability to work as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.
• Some experience working on environmental planning projects (e.g., NEPA, county planning, etc).

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 1-480-581-5378. 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 in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Albuquerque, NM - based position can expect a salary of: for a Lead Biologist -  $78,000.00 to $101,920.00/year; for a Senior Biologist -- $89,440.00 to $116,480.00/year. 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

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.