Assistant Project Manager

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Manager-Natural Resources in Amherst, MA with experience in natural resource management, biological studies, environmental permitting, and project management.

The candidate chosen to fill this position will have a broad range of skills to work with office Project Managers to support permitting efforts in the land development, federal and state, transmission, renewable power generation, oil and gas, and ecological restoration markets. This position requires the ability to work independently and coordinate with large project teams to support senior project management throughout all phases of a project’s life-cycle. The ideal candidate will have experience with all phases of project development including proposal writing, initial constraints analysis, permitting, preconstruction planning, construction, and post-construction operations and maintenance as well as experience managing budgets, invoicing, maintaining project schedules, organizing field schedules, and supporting quality assurance / quality control efforts. There may be opportunity for field assistance as well, but this is not required of the position.

This is a permanent, hourly, full-time position, reporting to SWCA’s Natural Resource Team Lead. Hybrid work environments are available.

What you will accomplish

• Preparation of key aspects of environmental planning documents, including pre-application activities and project planning; developing project descriptions and supporting documentation; preparing technical reports.
• Serve as an assistant project manager or task lead on projects of varying size and complexity
• Work closely with SWCA senior project managers on complex projects
• Prepare Regulatory Permit Applications to local, state, and federal agencies
• Serve as the regulatory/permit compliance liaison between agencies and clients.
• Communicate effectively and pro-actively with diverse project stakeholders, including regulatory agents, field crews, trade workers, and third parties regarding project status, schedules, and compliance issues.
• Build new relationships and supporting the development of client capture plans.
• Use of strong organizational and communication skills in writing, verbally, and graphically.
• Demonstrates technical proficiency in an area of specialization
• Leads small, routine projects, processes, or deliverables from start to finish, with oversight
• Independently performs (or executes through others) routine technical tasks
• Oversees multiple crews, subcontractors, or works independently to complete tasks, under the close direction of a PM
• Plans and coordinates project mobilizations
• Adapts strategy to meet shifting project needs, regulatory requirements, and client objectives
• Performs data QA/QC, tracking, synthesis, and analysis
• Conducts research to support novel problem-solving
• Performs frontline technical QA/QC of deliverables and coordinates QA/QC process
• Prepares scopes and budgets for routine projects
• Interfaces with clients and regulators, with supervision
• Contributes to technical standards for office
• Prepares and ensures implementation of the safety plan
• Takes initiative, resolves problems, and creates improved procedures to ensure that tasks are completed in the most effective and efficient manner.
• In coordination with the Project Manager, organizes the report writing and production effort and prepares technical reports.
• Maintains SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance; is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related life sciences field.
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant industry experience from the private or public sectors.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft suite of products (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word).
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting laws and processes.
• Self-starter with ability to quickly learn requirements of multiple projects and develop organizational tools for Project Managers to utilize
• Experience providing QA/QC review of field documents, site forms, and reports preferred.
• Demonstrated primary report authorship for a variety of project types, preferably in an environmental science context
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related life sciences field.
• Experience in energy generation, transmission, oil and gas pipelines, and/or land development.
• Knowledge of northeastern flora and fauna required.  Experience with vegetation surveys is preferred.
• 5+ years of years of industry experience with environmental permitting, biological surveys, and/or project management.
• Experience with stormwater and/or construction monitoring

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.

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 Amherst, MA-based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $27.50-$35.00/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, 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

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.

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