Staff Biologist - Wetland Science

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of cultural and natural resource scientists and planners. Our professionals specialize in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and sustainability services.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, SWCA has offices throughout the West, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Islands, and Central-East regions and provides environmental services on projects throughout the U.S. and its territories. Since 1981, SWCA has achieved a national reputation for providing its clients with professional integrity as well as creative solutions based on sound science. SWCA ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a team-oriented work environment and competitive compensation.

We are actively seeking resumes from qualified individuals to join our growing Baton Rouge, LA office as a Staff Biologist - Wetland Science. This is a regular, full-time position that will perform biological field surveys; assist with data collection and data entry; and with report writing for a variety of natural resources projects. The selected individual will be part of the Gulf Coast Natural Resources team supporting various projects in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and across the Central-East Region.  We work to support our client’s needs across multiple service areas including renewable generation, oil & gas, transportation, site development, and ecological restoration. A key element of your job will be to independently supervise environmental survey crews in the field.  The position requires the ability to work long hours in harsh conditions and be on the road for several days or weeks at a time.

Employees may be required to pass client specific drug and alcohol screening.

What you will accomplish

• Lead a variety of natural resources field studies including wetland delineations, stream assessments, vegetation and rare plant surveys, avian and wildlife surveys, aquatics surveys, and wildlife habitat assessments.

• Supervise a small crew while conducting environmental fieldwork. This includes:

  • independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery;
  • ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely;
  • serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers;
  • receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and
  • monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.

• Record data on GPS units and field site forms or other forms.

• 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 record appropriate habitat, species, and landforms.

• Operate SWCA vehicles in a safe manner including the operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles on rugged, backcountry roads.

• Assist project managers in data organization, interpretation, and report preparation, as needed.

• Adhere to SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related life sciences field is required, or proof of equivalent experience.
• Able to lead a wetland delineation crew, making independent key technical decisions in the field as typically acquired through two (2) years of relevant professional experience conducting wetland delineation following the USACE 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual, the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Regional Supplement and the Great Plains Regional Supplement.  Applicants who are unable to show professional wetland delineation experience will not be considered.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads.
• Ability to travel to a location, hike to a remote locations and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and the ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn company procedures.
• Ability to try new, innovative techniques, and to make independent decisions when appropriate to the situation or make adjustments as a member of a team in order to complete tasks in the most efficient and accurate manner.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred:

• Attendance at an approved Wetland Delineation Training Course.
• Previous experience leading site visits with agency personnel
• Experience conducted or leading terrestrial wildlife or avian surveys in the southeastern U.S.

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 Baton Rouge-based position can expect an hourly rate of $23.00/hour–$30.00/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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Keywords

Staff BiologistWetland Sciencenatural resourcesbiological field surveysdata collectionreport writingenvironmental survey crewswetland delineationsstream assessmentsvegetation surveysrare plant surveysavian surveyswildlife surveysaquatics surveyswildlife habitat assessmentsGPS unitstopographic mapsaerial photographslandformsSWCA vehiclesproject managersdata organizationinterpretationreport preparationsafety proceduresscientific ethics