Associate Project Biologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Associate Project Biologist with experience in natural resource management and biological studies to join our Las Vegas, NV team. 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), hourly position, reporting to one of SWCA's Project Managers out of our Las Vegas office. This position involves both office and field work, with a potential 50/50 split based on project needs, though it is likely to start primarily as a field role with 90% of the time in the field.

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 #Always Learning, we #Never Settle and we #Give Back. 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.

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.

• Develop project management and technical lead skills on a variety of biological resource projects.
• Conduct biological natural resource field surveys collecting observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, terrestrial and/or avian species. Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• 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 the Mojave Desert.
• Use radio-telemetry to track Mojave desert tortoise, sometimes in rugged terrain.
• Perform compliance monitoring for construction projects, including pre-construction avian and desert tortoise surveys.
• 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.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Required:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field required.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, in either the public or private sector.
• At least two (2) years of APM or project management experience.
• 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:

• 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, and/or 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 100% of your time (seasonally), especially for assistant project biologists.

SWCA Environmental Consultants…