Associate Project Ecologist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for an Associate Project Ecologist in Salt Lake City, Utah to be part of our growing team. As a core member of the Natural Resources program, you will take an important collaborative role in pursuing project opportunities, managing projects and clients, and mentoring junior staff.  Our Salt Lake City operations offers a unique work environmental and specializes in State and Local Government, Electric Transmission, Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas, and Water Resources Projects.

This is a regular (with full benefits), full-time, salaried position with the possibility of a hybrid schedule.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 1,650 staff, 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.

Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA 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 live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.  Come join our team!

What you will accomplish

• Develop project management and technical lead skills on a variety of natural and water resource projects.
• Organize, review, and transfer field data, and write technical reports and permit applications and subject matter expert review related to the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, local municipal and county regulations, and other resource planning/permitting relevant in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains.
• Prepare reports and permit documents as the primary or secondary author, and help conduct quality assurance/quality control for a variety of renewable energy project types and sizes.
• Serve as Natural Resources Task Lead on large complex regulatory projects, coordinating and leading the technical team toward completion of tasks and deliverables.
• Assistant, or lead proposal efforts for a variety of natural resources work.
• Take initiative and resolve issues in an independent manner or collaboratively with senior project managers.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Work closely with SWCA’s other resource scientists, planners, on natural and cultural resource projects throughout the company.
• Work as member of a team, or independently, to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in biological surveys and resource management, with at least two years in the private sector.
• Experience working with scientists, planners, engineers, contractors, and agency specialists.
• Proficiency in writing natural resources technical reports -- these may include those related to the Endangered Species Act; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; and/or other biological requirements.
• Experience supporting and writing natural resources sections of NEPA documents and Section 7 Biological Assessments.

Preferred

• Experience in preparing reports and permits as primary author for variety of projects including renewable energy, transportation, restoration, planning, and water resources.
• Demonstrated business development success, including proposal writing, budget development, and client interaction.
• Desire to learn and grow into increased project-management and supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Information

• This position requires limited travel estimated to be less than 10% of the candidate’s overall time.

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 pay rate of $62,400.00/year to $80,080.00/year. 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