Assistant Project Wetland Scientist

About the opportunity

SWCA's growing Massachusetts team seeks an Assistant Project Wetland Scientist (HR Title = Assistant Project Environmental Scientist) to join our natural resources team in Massachusetts. We are expanding our team and looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion for delivering the highest‑quality project work. If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services, this is a great opportunity for you!

The successful candidate will possess a broad range of skills including identification of New England botanical and wildlife species, attention to detail, organizational skills, willingness to learn, effective communication and time management skills.

This is a regular, full‑time, non‑exempt position supporting projects throughout Massachusetts and New England. This position offers the opportunity to support both field and office‑based projects, depending on project needs. This position is hybrid eligible and requires candidates to be within commutable distance to either our Southborough, MA or Amherst, MA office locations.

Final date to receive applications:
Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

• Apply a broad range of environmental permitting and compliance experience to support regional renewable energy, natural gas, and electric transmission focused projects related to Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.
• Complete technical writing assignments focused on natural resource reports and permit applications.
• Support projects as a task lead and/or project manager depending on level of experience and career aspirations.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other tools for the preparation and execution field studies.
• In the field, oversee a crew or work independently while supporting a variety of data collection needs including wetland delineation, vegetative surveys, protected species and habitat surveys as well as construction compliance efforts.
• Data processing, review, and analysis.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience performing environmental, ecological, or natural resources studies, surveys, or projects in the private or public sector.
• Experience performing environmental compliance inspections and reporting for active construction projects, including familiarity with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit.
• Applicants who are unable to show professional wetland delineation experience will not be considered.
• Demonstrated experience with federal and state laws, such as the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Regulations, the Clean Water Act, the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, and other federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Technical writing experience associated with the summarization of site conditions and the preparation of permit applications.
• Familiarity with GPS devices.
• Ability to travel to a location, hike and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, while carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Able to conduct mobilizations with overnight stays in the New England Area. Occasional deployments of up to 1–2 weeks at a time.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s…