Staff Environmental Scientist

About the opportunity

Do you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services? SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding their team and looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work.  We are expanding our team and offering a full-time, hourly position for an individual who can perform field and office-based environmental support in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. A key element of your job will be to independently supervise an environmental survey crew in the field.

This position can be hired at the following levels:

• Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist – Typically up to 1 year of relevant experience and expertise
• Staff Environmental Scientist – Typically with at least 2 years of relevant experience and expertise

What you will accomplish

• Conduct biological surveys, habitat assessments, and wetland delineation fieldwork in support of federal Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act, as well as Territorial and local environmental requirements.  If an archaeologist, conduct SHPO and related archaeological data research and produce technical cultural resouce reports.
• Accurately collect data and complete field forms, digital photography, and mapping
• Oversee and perform QA/QC, organization, and tracking to ensure project requirements are met
• Research and write technical reports related to SWCA’s natural resource projects
• Coordinate and communicate with project managers, land surveyors, landowners and other SWCA staff as necessary
• Operate SWCA vehicles, assure they will perform safely, and notify appropriate person if vehicle needs maintenance. Ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads
• Ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner with a high-degree of quality and reliability
• Meet schedules, budgets, and project key performance indicators
• Work closely with SWCA staff to promote SWCA’s mission, vision, and values
• Adhere to SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics

  • 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 are 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

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

  • Monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.

Experience and qualifications for success

Basic Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Archaeology, or related field

• Professional experience conducting ecology, natural resource management, cultural resource management, or related field surveys with some or all of the following areas:

• Conducting accurate data collection procedures, and data entry QA/QC

• Performing wildlife and/or wetland delineation field studies,

• Vegetation sampling and habitat assessment experience

• Writing technical documents related to field studies that were performed

• Fluent in speaking and writing English and Spanish

• Ability to travel and have a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• In-depth knowledge of Puerto Rico flora and fauna
• Experience with environmental permitting and in-field construction compliance experience with Federal, State, and local regulations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and electronic forms
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain
• Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds
• Frequent travel will be required for the position, with field work sometimes reaching 80% of your time

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 application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 800-828-8517. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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 Puerto Rico - based position can expect a salary of_:  Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist – between $20.50/hour and $26.50/hour; Staff Environmental Scientist - between $23.00/hour and $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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