Natural Resources Technician

About the opportunity

Do you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services for your clients? SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding their team and looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work.

SWCA is expanding our natural resources team and seeking several on-call hourly Biological Field Technicians to support a variety of environmental projects involving a range of office and field duties throughout California. Work hours may vary seasonally, and depending on project needs and your skills. On-call staff are requested for work as it becomes available and are free to accept or refuse the work based on their schedule. As our Natural Resources team continues to grow, additional opportunities for advancement and/or transition to a regular, full-time position will be available.

It is anticipated that travel, including overnight stays, will be required for this position. Fieldwork will include travel throughout California. Experience throughout the state is not required as multiple on-calls will be hired to cover a wide range of geographies including the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, North Bay and Northern California Coast, Sierra Foothills, Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, Southern California Coast, and Inland Empire including the Mojave Desert.

This position is temporary, hourly. Pay is dependent on experience.

What you will accomplish

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct environmental inspections, wildlife and vegetation baseline studies (including protocol surveys), nesting bird surveys, wetland assessments (California Rapid Assessment Method and Riparian Rapid Assessment Method), bioassessments (macroinvertebrate/SWAMP procedures), and general habitat assessments.
• Collect field data, record and identify fauna and flora.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Photograph and take detailed notes of habitats, species, and landforms. Operate SWCA vehicles safely, including operation of 4-wheel-drive vehicles on rugged, back-country roads.
• Follow industry-leading safety check-in and reporting procedures.
• Communicate effectively with SWCA project managers, construction crews, and other environmental specialists to complete the field work and reporting requirements.
• Understand project environmental requirements and the applicable laws and regulations protecting biological resources.
• Complete desktop analyses, web-based database queries, prepare technical reports describing the methods, results, recommendations, and regulatory background for projects.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team is critical.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field required.
• Knowledge of common and special status state and federal listed California fauna and flora.
• Prior experience with GIS software, GPS units/tablets and ability to use technology for data collection.
• 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 is required.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Report or other writing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two years or field seasons of experience completing biological surveys, fieldwork, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and/or construction monitoring.
• Botanical and wetland delineation experience.
• CRAM Certified.
• Herpetologists with CRLF, FYLF, CTS, AWS, GGS, San Joaquin Valley lizards and Desert Tortoise.
• Ornithologists with bird identification and nest searching experience; rail, raptor and other birds of prey experience a plus.
• Invertebrate biologists with vernal pool branchiopods, VELB, etc..

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.

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

This position is eligible for our wellness paid time off, employee assistance program and wellness program activities.

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Seniority Level

Entry level

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.