Natural Resources Technician

About the opportunity

Are you interested in environmental consulting services? Do you enjoy working outside and thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellent data collection, team collaboration, and services provided to clients? Are you looking for an opportunity to start and grow your environmental career? SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to join our team as a Natural Resources Technician.

SWCA is seeking a Natural Resources Technician for a project based in northern Oklahoma (Kay County; nearest town Ponca City). Project proximity is not required and applicants who are available to travel are encouraged to apply. This position is a part-time fieldwork position with the opportunity to expand into new roles over time. The chosen candidate will primarily support post-construction monitoring and other natural resources work in Oklahoma for what is scheduled to be a year-long project.

This position will provide the chosen candidate with lodging, a vehicle, and per diem as applicable. This is a temporary, part-time position, without medical benefits. Per diem will be provided for scheduled field mobilizations.  Based on candidate interest and performance, additional opportunities may be made available to assist the applicant in gaining more natural resource experience and development of their consulting career.

The preferred applicant for this position will have some educational or experienced background in biology, natural resources, ornithology, ecology, or a related field, however, this is not a prerequisite. The position does require some experience working in the outdoors and will involve working solo in occasionally remote environments under demanding conditions for extended periods of time.

The selected candidate will be required to pass client specific drug and alcohol screening.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct post-construction bird and bat mortality monitoring, including eagle searches and carcass removal trials and participating in searcher efficiency trials, for a wind development project.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of the project area and survey points.
• Conduct fieldwork and operate 4WD and off-road vehicles in all terrain and weather conditions.
• Record data on field site forms or in digital tablets, organize and transfer field data, and help support project management team.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required experience:

• Experience conducting field work or related outdoor work.
• Ability to record accurate field notes and communicate effectively with project management team.
• Ability to identify or learn to identify avian carcasses to the species level.
• Ability to use or learn digital tablet for GPS navigation and recording of field data.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather conditions, walk up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain, and carry equipment and/or supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads.
• Ability to drive or learn to drive ATVs, UTVS, and other off-road vehicles and haul trailers.
• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.
• Must have ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to assure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and comply with company operational and safety procedures.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and individually to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.
• Must be able to pass client specific drug and alcohol screening.

Preferred experience:

• A B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Previous experience with wildlife and/or avian surveys.
• Previous experience with client and private landowner interactions.
• Previous experience with handling sick or injured eagles.
• Previous experience interacting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.
• Knowledge of eagles and other avian species.
• Knowledge of post-construction avian and bat mortality monitoring and/or avian survey techniques.
• Ability to identify avian species visually and auditorily.

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 in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Oklahoma-based position can expect an hourly rate of $18.50–24.50/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

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

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