Assistant Project Wetland Scientist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is seeking a Wetland Scientist (HR Title = Assistant Project Wetland Scientist) to be based out of our Salt Lake City or Vernal, Utah office. The selected candidate will be supporting projects across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.  This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), hourly position.

The Wetland Scientist position requires an educational and experienced background in biology, natural resource management, botany, water resources, or a related field. This exciting position offers a mix of field and office tasks including project management support for local, state and federal natural resource permitting efforts.  Assigned tasks are dependent on the size and nature of awarded projects and seasonal field limitations.

This position takes place in an outdoor environment, often remote, where the climate, weather and terrain can be demanding. The position may involve an irregular schedule and extended hours. It is anticipated that moderate travel, including overnight stays, will be required. Field work will be primarily in the Utah, Idaho and Wyoming regions but may include travel to states in other ecoregions. Project reporting and other office tasks will require working on a computer for extended periods.

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 #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle and we #GiveBack. 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.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct a variety of natural resources field studies, including wetland delineations, vegetation and habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and avian/wildlife surveys.
• Conduct detailed fieldwork, organize and save field data in digital formats, and write technical reports and permit applications for approvals under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.
• Assist in the writing and development of written deliverables related to project work.
• Assist in local, state, and federal permitting.
• Assist in client management and coordination.
• Coordinate the natural resources compliance tasks for a variety of projects from project initiation to project closure, including designing and communicating the field approach, ensuring data collection is high quality, and coordinating or writing the document deliverables, and submitting to clients or agencies.
• This role also includes interfacing and communicating with relevant agency partners such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Water Resources, Botany, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Natural Resource Management, related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Five (5) years of relevant professional work experience illustrating a firm understanding of natural resources management and ecological field investigations.
• Knowledge of wetland and other aquatic botanical species taxonomy and ability to identify species in the field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience leading or conducting natural resources field work focused on wetland delineations and aquatic resources assessments with experience compiling field data into aquatic resource inventory reports.
• Experience utilizing GPS devices and digital data collection methods.
• 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.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability safely drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads.
• Desire to provide excellent client service in a fast-paced work environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and high attention to detail.
• The selected applicant will be required to pass client specific drug and alcohol screening.

Preferred

• Clean Water Act Regulatory experience and familiarity with the Nationwide Permitting system
• The ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.

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 Salt Lake City, UT - based position can expect a salary of $30.00/hour to $38.50/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.

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