Lead Ecologist

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking a Lead Ecologist-Site Superintendent for our Chicago operations to contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practice. The ideal candidate will be interested in developing a long-term consulting career that combines high-level technical expertise with commercial acumen and leadership. Prior experience is necessary in the field of construction oversight and management; habitat conservation planning and restoration; implementation of ecological restoration in wetland or other sensitive resource areas; planning, design, and implementation of invasive plant management programs in upland and wetland environments; hiking trail construction; and lentic and lotic ecosystem assessment and management.

This position is a temporary, hourly position, reporting to a Chicago based Project Manager.

What you will accomplish

• Supervise onsite project operations including installation of native plant and erosion control material, invasive species control and other ecological restoration activities.
• Coordinate and manage onsite crews including scheduling, supervise, train, and QA/QC
• Communicate with clients and PM regarding project progress, challenges, and work with the team to identify and solve problems.
• Develop strong relationships with existing clients through consistent onsite quality.
• Assist in the management of projects throughout the project management life cycle, ensuring adherence to project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Ensure professional and technical excellence, and quality through project staffing and QA/QC assignments.
• Promote a culture of accountability; budget and cost control; value creation and return on investment; and profit optimization.
• Communications with Project Team.
• Engage in business development initiatives.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications:

• Subject matter knowledge equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in an environmental related discipline, such as: environmental studies, environmental science, biology, ecology.
• Experience supporting ecological restoration project work; as normally acquired from eight (8) years of industry related experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office products.

Preferred Qualifications:

• OSHA 30-hr certification
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hr certification
• Cost proposal development experience for ecological restoration projects (see service types above)

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel up to 70% of the time to project sites and stay overnight for extended periods.
• Salary will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

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 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 Chicago-based position can expect an hourly rate of $39.38–$51.45/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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