Staff Biologist

About the opportunity:

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Staff Biologist role to support our projects in Texas and surrounding states. This position will perform biological field surveys, wetland delineations, assist with data collection, data entry, and report writing for a variety of natural resources projects. The position is anticipated to include 80% field work (with travel) and 20% office work. The selected individual will be part of the Austin Natural Resources team.

 

We work to support our client’s needs across multiple service areas including renewable generation, transmission, oil & gas, transportation, land development, and water infrastructure. The position requires the ability to work long hours in harsh conditions and be on the road for several days or weeks at a time.

 

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly/non-exempt position that will report into our Austin, TX office.  Hybrid work environments are encouraged.

 

Field Supervisory Responsibilities: Depending upon project assignments, this role may serve as the lead for field survey crews, independently directing daily work activities, promoting safe and productive work practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback in support of successful project delivery.

 

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established. 

About SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

 

 We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish:

• Performs tasks to collect, manage, analyze, and/or summarize data in the field, lab, or office. Expected to work efficiently to complete assigned tasks in a manner that ensures the data and findings are accurate, complete, and verifiable. Assigned tasks have multiple clear and complementary objectives, related primarily to the characterization of projects, sites, and analytical findings.
• Drafts written summaries of task activities and/or sections for technical reports and planning documents, including tables, text, and graphics as appropriate to the task.
• Supports coordination with stakeholders, including landowners, clients, and agency staff.
• Assists in presenting and publishing on environmental or regulatory topics under supervision.
• Communicates frequently and openly with team members and supervisors to ensure that task objectives and methods are clearly understood, task progress is shared, and questions or needs are promptly addressed. This includes initiating and/or responding to communication requests before, during, and after task implementation as part of a real-time, collaborative work effort.
• Follows directions, safety and quality protocols, and other established procedures to complete tasks successfully and with accountability.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Leads crews or assists crew leaders with natural resources field studies, including wetland delineations, wildlife habitat assessments, acoustical monitoring, avian point count, and vegetation surveys.
• Assist in preparing permit applications for local, federal, and state agencies under supervision.
• Records field data and photographs habitats, species, and aquatic resources using ESRI applications such as Field Maps and Survey123.
• Uses topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, ArcGIS, and related tools to locate project areas, habitat types, and aquatic resources.
• Operates SWCA vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles on rugged backcountry roads.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree. One year of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Three years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
• One (1) + years of relevant natural resources field experience (professional experience).
• Knowledge of flora and fauna in Texas and surrounding states.
• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to travel to a location, conducting fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather and in rugged terrain.
• Frequent travel, including weekends, will be required for the position with field work sometimes reaching 80% of your time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of relevant natural resources field experience.
• Experience conducting wildlife and botanical surveys.
• Experience conducting aquatic resources delineations.
• Experience with preparing nationwide permit preconstruction notifications.
• Candidate has their Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT) or Associate Wildlife Biologist (AWB) certification.
• Experience collecting field data using tablets with ESRI applications such as Field Maps and Survey123.
• Working knowledge of wetland and riparian plant species identification, wetland soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.

Other Job Conditions:

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements. 

 

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.  

 

Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.   

 

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures. 

Pay Range:

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Austin based position is $25.12 to $32.76 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance based bonuses. 

 

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities. 

Closing:

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.

 

Use of Technology in Hiring 

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience. 

 

Candidate Use of AI 

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities. 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. 

 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

 

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