Staff Level Environmental Scientist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company specializing in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, and regulatory compliance. We are expanding our team in the New Mexico/Four Corners region and are seeking a Staff Environmental Scientist who takes pride in delivering high-quality project work. While the candidate should ideally be located near our Albuquerque office, highly qualified remote candidates within New Mexico will also be considered. 

This position supports a variety of projects in New Mexico and the Four Corners area, with a focus on industries such as Oil & Gas, Transmission, Generation, and Renewable Energy. If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services, this is a great opportunity for you! 

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). 

This position can be hired at the following levels:  

• Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist – Typically with at least 1 year of relevant experience and expertise. 

• Staff Environmental Scientist – Typically with at least 2 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

• Support the water resources team in planning, field data collection, and report writing.  

• Assist in the writing and development of written deliverables related to project work. 

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written. 

• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools during fieldwork. 

• Preparation of water resources reports, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), and other Clean Water Act compliance-related documents 

• Help prepare or prepare comprehensive technical reports, such as resource inventory reports, environmental permitting and compliance support documents, and other relevant documentation. 

• Organize, review, and analyze field data, and draft technical reports and permit applications. 

• Coordinate and collaborate with other SWCA scientists, such as wetland specialists, ecologists, stormwater specialists, restoration specialists, hydrologists, floodplain specialists, wildlife specialists, etc., ensuring quality assurance for scope of work and project approach development. 

• Support compliance of Clean Water Act permits during construction and maintenance activities.   

• Support general natural resources tasks, including general biological surveys and report preparation.  

• Complete routine SWPPP, environmental compliance, and reclamation inspections for ongoing construction compliance in accordance with approved permits and applicable state and federal regulations across in the New Mexico/Four Corners region. 

• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.   

Experience and qualifications for success

Required:  

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Wetland Science, Biology, Plant Science, Soil Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Ecology, Water Resources, or a related environmental science field. 

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in environmental or water resources fieldwork. 

• Experience with technical writing for environmental documents. 

Preferred:  

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in environmental or water resources fieldwork. 

• Working knowledge of federal and state laws (e.g., NEPA, CWA, and ESA) governing natural resource management. 

• Knowledge of and environmental survey experience in New Mexico and the surrounding region. 

• Familiarity with mapping software such as ArcGIS and GPS devices. 

• Basic knowledge of project permitting, impact assessments, proposal preparation, environmental planning, wetland delineation/mitigation. 

• Demonstrated experience working in a face paced work environment, and a desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere 

Additional Information:  

• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle background screening. 

• Willingness to travel to project sites, field work, or for agency meetings. (25-50%) 

• Availability to access projects within the New Mexico/Four Corners geographic area. 

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 Albuquerque, New Mexico-based position can expect a hourly rate of:  Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist for Albuquerque:  $21.32/hour to $27.56/hour, Staff Environmental Scientist for Albuquerque:  $$23.92/hour to $31.20/hour.  Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more. 

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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