Staff Biologist

About the opportunity

SWCA’s growing Amherst, Massachusetts office is seeking a Staff Biologist to support our Amherst office. As a member of our natural resources team, you will be trained to actively support projects including wetland delineations, rare species surveys, baseline ecological inventories, environmental permitting, and construction monitoring. This position offers a diversified mix of field and office work, depending on project type and season. Field work may include wetland evaluations, endangered species investigations, site assessments, construction oversight, and compliance monitoring. Office work may include assisting with data interpretation and tabulations, scientific report writing and permit preparation.

Our Amherst office offers a collaborative and supportive work environment with a diverse team of scientists working on a wide range of projects. We work spans multiple services including wetlands, rare species, natural resource assessment, environmental permitting and compliance, habitat restoration, biodiversity, stormwater, and others. The successful candidate will posses a broad range of skills including identification of northeastern United States botanical and wildlife species, attention to detail, organization skills, willingness to learn, effective communication skills, and time management.

We offer a supportive and casual work environment with flexible schedules, competitive total compensation, benefits package, professional training, and mentorship. SWCA is a 100% employee owned company with a stock ownership program.

This position is an hourly, full-time position with the option to work in a hybrid fashion from Amherst, Massachusetts.  This position can be hired at the following levels:

• Assistant Staff Biologist – Typically with at least 1 year of relevant experience and expertise.
• Staff Biologist – Typically with at least 2 years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Assistant Project Biologist - Typically with at least 3 years of relevant experience and expertise.

Compensation will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct a variety of natural resources field studies including wetland delineations, vegetation and habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and wildlife surveys.
• Conduct detailed fieldwork, organize and save field data in digital formats, and write technical reports and permit applications for approvals under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Wetland Science, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology or other related field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in natural resources.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in MS Office products and technical writing.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and your own transportation.
• Ability to be flexible, travel and work outside in most weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Wetland Science, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or similar field.
• Prior experience leading wetland delineations, rare species investigations, construction monitoring, and other similar tasks.
• Professional certifications including WPIT, AWB, CERPIT, CESSWI, APSS, EIT, or similar or the ability to acquire a professional certification.
• Experience leading natural resources field work focused on threatened/endangered species, wetland delineations, aquatic resources assessments, and compliance monitoring.
• Extensive working knowledge of botanical species taxonomy and ability to identify species in the field.

Additional Information

• Valid driver's license.
• Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes at moment’s notice, for extended periods, at nights and occasionally on the weekend.
• Ability to pass a Motor Vehicle background screening.
• Available to access projects within the geographic area.
• Ability to work long hours in harsh conditions.

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.

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 Amherst, MA - based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $20.50-$26.50_/h__our at the Assistant Staff Biologist level, $23.00-$30.00/hour at the Staff Biologist level, and $26.25-$34.25/hour at the Assistant Project Biologist level. 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

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.comor call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

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Seniority Level

Associate

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