Natural Resources Technician - Avian

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 consulting career? SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to join our team as an Avian/Natural Resources Field Technician.

The Avian Field Technician will be a field-based role, primarily working on remote project site locations across New Mexico. Options for an office base include SWCA’s Albuquerque, NM,  Durango, Colorado, and Flagstaff, AZ office locations. We are looking for someone who is following their passion, gaining valuable field experience and dedicated to delivering the highest-quality project work.

The Avian Field Technician position requires some educational or experienced background in biology, natural resource management, ornithology, ecology, or a related field. This primarily field-based position takes place in an outdoor environment, often remote, where the climate, weather and terrain that can be demanding. The position may involve an irregular schedule and extended hours. It is anticipated that nearly 100% travel, including overnight stays, will be required. Hotel rooms, a field truck, per diem, and other supplies will be provided during field work deployments.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct avian field studies primarily on pre- and post-construction wind development projects. With occasional opportunity to assist with other vegetation and wildlife habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and other field-based efforts.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, survey points, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• 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

• Minimum of B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field preferred but not required. Coursework in zoology, field ecology, and/or ornithology strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with wildlife and/or avian field-based surveys preferred.
• Knowledge of western raptors, eagles, and other avian species strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of avian survey techniques preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of employment or volunteer-based experience conducting field work or related outdoor work, strongly preferred.
• Ability to record accurate field notes and communicate effectively with field leads and the project management team required.
• Ability to identify avian species visually and auditorily preferred.
• Ability to use or learn digital tablet for GPS navigation and recording of field data required.
• 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 required.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.
• Ability to drive or learn to drive ATVs, UTVS, and other off-road vehicles and haul trailers required.
• 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 company operational and safety procedures required.
• Ability to work as member of a team and individually to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner required.
• Ability to travel to project site 100% of the time

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 800-828-8517. 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 $18.50 – 24.50/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.

#SWCA-IND

#LI-NP1

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