Staff Level Biologist - Natural Resources (Temporary)

About the opportunity

SWCA is expanding our natural resources team and seeking On-Call Assistant/Staff Biologist candidates for upcoming environmental projects involving a range of office and field duties. Candidates located in California’s Central Coast area are encouraged to apply to support remote project needs. On-call staff are requested for work as it becomes available and are free to accept or refuse the work based on their schedule. As our Natural Resources team continues to grow, additional opportunities for advancement and/or transition to a regular, full-time position will be available.

It is anticipated that travel, including overnight stays, may be required for this position. This position will at times also require long or abnormal work hours (early start times, night shifts, etc.). Fieldwork will mostly include travel throughout the Central Coast of California but opportunities to perform similar duties and travel throughout California and continental United States (e.g., Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) may be available.

The candidate could fill one of our Staff Level roles based on skill and years of relevant experience:

• Assistant Staff Biologists: Typically up to 1 year of experience and expertise
• Staff Biologists: Typically up to 2 years of experience and expertise

This position is temporary, hourly. Pay will be competitive, based on individual qualifications and experience .

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.

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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

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct biological construction monitoring, environmental inspections, wildlife and vegetation baseline studies (including protocol surveys and mesocarnivore studies), nesting bird surveys, wetland assessments, and general habitat assessments.
• Collect field data, record and identify fauna and flora.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, ArcGIS Field Maps, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Photograph and take detailed notes of habitats, species, and landforms.
• Operate SWCA vehicles safely, including operation of 4-wheel-drive vehicles on rugged, back-country roads.
• Communicate effectively with SWCA project managers, construction crews, and other environmental specialists to complete the field work and reporting requirements.
• Understand project environmental requirements and the applicable laws and regulations protecting biological resources.
• Complete desktop analyses, web-based database queries, prepare technical reports describing the methods, results, recommendations, and regulatory background for projects.
• Working independently and as part of a diverse team is critical.
• Follow industry-leading safety check-in and reporting procedures.
• Adhering to the safety program and looking out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field required.
• One (1) year of field experience required.
• Knowledge of common and special-status state and federal listed California fauna and flora.
• The ideal candidate will also possess strong wildlife and plant identification.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license, with the ability to drive multiple types of vehicles, trucks, and 4x4’s
• Prior experience with GIS software, GPS units/tablets and ability to use technology for data collection.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, often at high altitudes, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.
  Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Report or other writing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years or field seasons of experience completing biological surveys, fieldwork, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and/or construction monitoring.
• Experience completing focused wildlife surveys and assisting trapping and handling of wildlife.
• Experience traveling and working remotely, performing duties with limited supervision, and ensuring all tasks are done safely with timely communications.

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.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this San Luis Obispo, CA-based position: as an Assistant Staff Biologist -- an hourly pay rate of $23.99 - $31.01/hour; and as a Staff Biologist -- an hourly pay rate of $26.91 - $35.10/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

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.

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.

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