Project-Level Biologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Project-Level Biologist with experience in natural resource management and biological studies for our Albuquerque, NM 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 may include writing technical reports, participating in field surveys, natural resource planning, permitting assistance, and coordinating with a multi-disciplinary team.

This is a full-time, regular with benefits position, reporting to one of SWCA’s Project Managers out of our Albuquerque, NM or Durango, CO office.

Under this job requisition, we may hire the following job position:

Assistant Project Biologist - Typically with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Associate Project Biologist - Typically with up to five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Project Biologist -- Typically with up to seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

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

Below please find the job responsibilities for an Assistant Project Biologist.  Responsibilities for an associate project biologist or project biologist include leading small to mid-sized project projects and serving more as a subject matter expert.

• Develop project management and technical lead skills on a variety of biological resource projects.
• Conduct a variety of natural resources studies including wetland delineations, threatened/endangered species assessments, environmental assessments, and biological reports and evaluations documentation.
• Organize, review, and transfer field data, and write technical reports and permit applications and subject matter expert review related to the Clean Water Act, 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 Texas and Oklahoma.  Report writing may reach 65% of the position's required time commitment.
• 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.
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Work as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, in either the public or private sector.
• 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 Qualifications

• At least five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, with at least two years in the private sector.
• Experience in preparing reports and permits as primary author for variety of oil and gas, transmission, and renewable energy project types and sizes.
• Demonstrated business development success, including proposal writing, budget development, and client interaction.
• Desire to learn and grow into increased project-management and supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Information

• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain.
• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• It is anticipated that low to moderate travel will be required for the position, with field work sometimes reaching 50% of your time (seasonally), especially for assistant project biologists.

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 Assistant Project Biologist: $26.25/hour to $34.25/hour: for Associate Project Biologist -- $62,400.00/year to $80,080.00/year; or Project Biologist -- $68,640.00/year to $88,400.00/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.