Project Level Habitat Restoration Ecologist

About the opportunity

Our southern California offices offer a collaborative work environment with a variety of interesting projects and clients.  Due to continued growth, we are looking for a Project Level Habitat Restoration Ecologist to join us!  While much of your work would focus on Southern California, it will likely include opportunities to work throughout California, our Western region and ultimately, throughout the Country. This is a position that requires regular travel to restoration project sites in Orange County and Inland Empire.

The ideal Project Level Habitat Restoration Ecologist will have experience in a variety of California ecosystems with a background in restoration ecology, landscape architecture, botany, or a related field, and have a thorough understanding of ecosystem functions including hydrology, soils and other physical and biological processes related to restoring upland, aquatic resource, and riparian habitats. An understanding and interest in the restoration life cycle is critical along with experience in different phases of that life cycle, inclusive of restoration planning, permitting, installation, and project monitoring/reporting.

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

• Assistant Project Restoration Ecologist - Typically with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Restoration Ecologist - Typically with up to five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Project Restoration Ecologist - Typically with up to seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Application deadline: 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.

What you will accomplish

• While working in a multi-discipline team, you will be collaborating with botanists, wildlife biologists, soil scientists, geomorphologists, landscape architects, hydrologists, restoration engineers, cultural resource experts, and planners.

• Support proposals, cost estimate preparation, and overall client engagement in order to grow our business.

• Engage with external local and regional groups to track industry trends in policy, implementation best practices and adjacent services such as sustainability, fire planning and management and climate driven services.

• Provide support to habitat restoration projects including participating in feasibility assessments, conceptual and detailed design, restoration construction oversight, maintenance and performance monitoring, reporting, visual presentations, and overall project management with support from Senior staff.

• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.
• You will have a passion for restoration ecology, the capacity to learn, the desire to challenge yourself by trying new hings, and communicate with team members and clients (verbal and writing)
• Have a passion to lead efforts in client support, proposal preparation and business development.
• Be an active member in the ongoing development of SWCA's Restoration Practice Group.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in environmental consulting or related field with a focus on habitat restoration.
• Bachelor of Science in restoration ecology, biology, botany, landscape architecture, environmental science, or related field. Masters of Science a plus.
• Proven ability to supervise junior staff
  Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills as well as ability to multi-task.
• Understanding and familiarity with the variety of regulations applicable to restoration as well as the documentation/permit process.
• Direct experience with standard restoration and re-vegetation techniques and experience overseeing implementation including hydroseeding, seeding, container planting, and staking.
• Ability to identify and monitor non-native species and provide guidance on adaptive management and weeding techniques and timing.
• Knowledge of southern California ecosystems including coastal and inland and direct project experience restoring habitats in the region.
• Experience with restoration project monitoring design.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing field data that meets the highest standards using the latest protocols and tools. Experience with biostatistics, experimental design, and survey techniques a plus.
• Proven ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience and knowledge with wildlife and/or botanical surveys and biotechnical reporting a plus.

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 Southern CA-based position can expect a pay rate for an Assistant Project Restoration Ecologist of  $30.42 - $38.53/hr., for an Associate Project Restoration Ecologist $33.89 - $43.74 /hr., and for a Project Restoration Ecologist $80,139.15 - $103,036.05/yr. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.  At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success

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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