Lead Level Aquatic Ecologist - Fisheries

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Lead-Level Aquatic Ecologist - Fisheries to join our growing New Mexico/Four Corners business. The selected individual will be part of the Natural Resources team supporting various projects in New Mexico, and across the Rockies Region. We work to support our client’s needs across multiple service areas including renewable generation, transportation, site development, transmission, water infrastructure, and ecological restoration.

This position is a permanent, full-time position that will involve species-specific consultation, field data collection, impact analysis planning and authoring, permitting, research and statistical modeling, and technical report writing and documentation. Interactions with both regulatory agencies and clients is expected.

The position will be based out of our offices in either Albuquerque, NM or Carlsbad, NM.  Candidates in remote locations within the New Mexico/Four Corners region will also be seriously considered.  Individuals will be slotted into Lead, Senior, or Principal Aquatic Ecologist levels depending upon experience and capability to take on additional responsibilities. Candidates with a few years less than the required experience are also encouraged to apply.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 1,300+ staff, employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services.  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

• Manage and/or lead a variety of aquatic resources field studies including protocol-level, species-specific surveys, habitat evaluations, biological assessments/evaluations, and population monitoring.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor junior fisheries staff as workload needs and opportunities are developed.
• Prepare technical reports describing findings from field and survey efforts. Prepare technical sections of natural resource regulatory documents including NEPA documents (EA/EIS), Biological Assessments, Biological Evaluations, and other technical and/or permitting documents.
• Follow sampling protocols, field data management best practices, and coordinate with other applicable SWCA staff. Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and scientific tools and equipment under sometimes arduous field conditions.
• Provide training and oversight to develop depth and competency among staff biologists specific to aquatic resources field studies.
• Independently, or in partnership with other SWCA staff, engage in business development and marketing activities to expand aquatic resources opportunities locally and/or regionally.
• Follow company and client safety protocols and maintain safe working environment.
• This person will encompass excellent organizational and analytical skills, strong writing proficiency, and a demonstrated aptitude with relating biological data to broader ecological, restoration, or management issues.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with eight (8) years’ experience in Fisheries and Wildlife, Biology, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life science. Experience should include completing fieldwork, data analysis, technical reports, and impact assessments.
• Working knowledge of natural resource regulatory laws including Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge of freshwater / riverine fisheries ecosystems, statistical analysis, population studies, stream ecology, issues and policies in the New Mexico-Four Corners region and/or desert SW USA.
• Experience producing high-quality deliverables.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred:

• Region 2 United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Endangered Species Collection Permit for aquatic species (such as Rio Grande Silver Minnow or other species listed in the southwestern region); or qualifications and experience to obtain

• Experience with wetland delineations and associated delineation reports and permit applications.

• Experience with GIS software and Trimble GPS units and ability to use technology for data collection.

• Experience with ecological or habitat restoration, stream/wetland mitigation, or transportation and/or other linear projects.

• Experience with conducting statistical analysis using software such as R or similar.

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, high heat and humidity.
• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.

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 800-828-8517. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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Seniority Level

Associate

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