Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist

About the opportunity

Are you passionate about high quality environmental work, innovation, and superior client service? SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist with strong interpersonal skills and experience in natural resources and biological studies.  This individual will help successfully drive our projects throughout all project phases from early planning and permitting through construction. The position can be remote but the ability to conduct fieldwork within Wyoming and Colorado and spend time in our Broomfield and Fort Collins offices will be required.

This Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist should have technical ability in a range of activities such as biological surveys, Endangered Species Act compliance, Natural Resource (Clean Water Act) permitting, NEPA, facility siting and constraints studies, and agency interactions at project introduction levels.  Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-sized project tasks, and track milestones within schedule and budget expectations.  You will also support or be responsible for QA/QC oversight of field data to support report-writing and permitting. Some fieldwork may be required to help support projects and data collection.  A key element of your job will be to independently supervise an environmental survey crew in the field.

This Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist should have introductory experience or a strong interest in a range of land use planning and permitting activities such as critical issues analyses, reviewing local regulations, conditional use permitting, and Colorado 1041 permitting. Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-sized project tasks, track permitting activities, review permit applications for compliance with local regulations, and track milestones within scope, schedule and budget.  Attendance at local public open houses and public hearings will be required at times.

Our Natural Resources program works on diverse natural resources related projects across many business lines, including oil and gas, renewable energy, utilities, infrastructure, transportation, and mining projects. In addition, the SWCA Front Range offices offer a unique work environment that specializes in natural resources, cultural resources, and permitting.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, position with job tasks split between technical biological services and permitting assignments. 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).

What you will accomplish

• Assist project managers or technical leads on a variety of resource management planning projects

• Assist small and medium-sized natural resources tasks and projects

• Potentially supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to staff-level biologists and field staff

• Work closely with a project team to develop innovative approaches to resource assessment and assist with writing proposals that meet client needs and can withstand agency and public scrutiny

• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively

• Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists and environmental planners, managers and directors in both natural and cultural resources throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values

• Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics

• Assist with biological technical desktop and field assessments and survey efforts including fieldwork, preparing and providing peer review for technical reports and environmental permits such as biological resource assessments and constraints analyses, State and federal endangered species act consultations, stormwater plan development and inspection prior to and during active construction, and help pull together local permitting needs for projects, including 1041 county permits. Fieldwork is expected to encompass up to 40% of the time spent on duties for this position.

• Supervise a small crew while conducting environmental fieldwork. This includes:

  • independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery;
  • ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and are being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely;
  • serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers;
  • receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and
  • monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or other related field
• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience performing environmental, ecological, or natural resources studies, surveys, or projects in the private or public sector
• At least one (1) year working as an environmental consultant
• Working knowledge of federal and state laws (e.g., NEPA, CWA, and ESA) governing natural resource management
• Demonstrated experience with federal and state agencies

Preferred

• Experience working with renewable energy, oil & gas, transportation, public utilities, and/or mining clients
• Experience with working on multiple complex projects and programs, in diverse settings and with changing requirements
• Experience leading field staff and providing task supervision
• Demonstrated experience working in a face paced work environment, and a desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere.
• Experience and/or a strong interest supporting business development efforts

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 application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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 Denver, CO - based position can expect a salary of_:  Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist – between $21.53/hour and $27.83/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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