Lead/Senior Natural Resources Project Manager

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead or Senior Natural Resources Project Manager, to be located either our Sacramento or Bay Area offices, with experience in natural resource management, ecological restoration, and biological studies. This position has opportunities to work on projects with SWCA’s six other California offices and across the West.

The ideal candidate will be interested in developing a long-term consulting career that combines high-level technical expertise with commercial acumen and leadership. Responsibilities may include developing and implementing scientific studies, leading survey and technical assessment efforts, natural resource planning, staff coordination, project management, and business development. This position requires technical expertise in all aspects of resource permitting and agency interactions at all levels. This position also requires the ability to manage large and complex projects and milestones within schedule and budget expectations and provide staff mentorship and senior technical review of field data and reports.

The Lead/Senior Natural Resources Project Manager has the option to participate in SWCA’s Scientific Leadership Program, which allows top subject experts to be recognized and rewarded for distinguished productivity and intellectual acumen, to make regular contributions to corporate strategies, and provide input to all levels of the company.

Our Northern California Natural Resources and Ecological Restoration program work on diverse natural resources related projects across many business lines, including renewable energies, utilities, infrastructure, transportation, habitat restoration, and mitigation banking.

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP).

What you will accomplish

• Work closely with a project team to develop innovative approaches to resource assessment that meet client needs and can withstand agency and public scrutiny.
• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively.
• Lead biological technical assessment and survey efforts including preparing and providing peer review for technical reports and environmental permits such as biological resource assessments and constraints analyses, (State and federal endangered species act consultations, CWA Section 404/401 permitting, and Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements).
• Conduct scientific assessment and statistical analyses.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to staff-level biologists and field staff.
• Serve as project manager or technical lead on a variety of resource management planning projects.
• Manage small and large projects, including maintaining budgets, schedules, and quality of service.
• Work with Corporate accounting department to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits for projects/tasks.
• Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists and environmental planners, managers, and directors in both natural and cultural resources throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values.
• Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience planning, scheduling, and budgeting. Ten (10) plus years is preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) or more years of experience managing projects and at least eight (8) years of experience in the environmental field.
• Working knowledge of Northern California natural resources.
• The ideal candidate will also possess strong wildlife and plant identification.
• Extensive working knowledge of natural resource federal and state laws (e.g., CEQA, NEPA, ESA, CESA, ESA) governing natural resource management.
• Experience with CEQA / NEPA and environmental permitting (e.g., CWA Sec 404/401, CDFW LSAA and ITP, Section 7 ESA with USFWS and/or NOAA Fisheries).
• Experience and ability to manage multiple complex projects and programs, in diverse settings and with changing requirements.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license, with the ability to drive multiple types of vehicles, trucks, and 4x4’s.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or providing project technical support to staff-level biologists and field staff.
• Master's degree in a related field.
• Prior experience delineating jurisdictional waters and preparing aquatic resources delineation reports.

Additional Information:

• Ability to work as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.
• Able to multi-task, prioritize, track work progress across multiple projects.
• Ability to take initiative, resolve problems and ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Effectively discuss technical concepts to non-specialist clients and the public.
• Able to work independently and collaborate with a variety of colleagues, clients, and agency representatives.
• Must possess a commitment to quality on projects of all sizes and scopes.
• Exceptional technical writing skills with a record of completing technical reports and other deliverables on time and within budget.

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 application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

S__WCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

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 Half Moon Bay, CA based position can expect an annual salary between $94,948.00–$124,800.00/year for the Lead Project Manager role and an annual salary between $108,576.00-$144,768.00 for the Sr. Project Manager role. 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.

#IND-USA

#LI-AO1

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

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