Staff Level Biologist - Natural Resources (Temporary)

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Staff Level Biologist to join the Austin, TX office.  This office offers a unique work environment and specializes in Generation and Renewable Energy, Land Development, Oil & Gas, Transportation, and Transmission projects. We are expanding our team and looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work.  If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services, this is a great opportunity for you!

This is a temporary, non exempt, hourly position that will be worked in the field.

The candidate could fill any of three staff-level roles based on skill and years of relevant experience:

• Natural Resources Technicians: Typically up to 6 months of relevant survey experience
• Assistant Staff Biologists: Typically up to 1 year of experience
• Staff Biologists: Typically up to 2 years of experience

For assistant staff and staff biologists, a key element of your job will be to independently supervise environmental survey crews in the field.

What you will accomplish

• Assist with conducting a variety of natural resources field studies including threatened/endangered species assessments, wetland delineations, and avian/wildlife surveys.
• Conduct fieldwork, organize and transfer field data, and write technical reports and permit applications related to Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.
• For assistant staff and staff biologists, 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.
• Assist in the writing and development of written deliverable related to project work.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools during fieldwork.
• Safely operate SWCA-owned and rental vehicles, including 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Fish and Wildlife Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 months of experience in wildlife/environmental fieldwork including wetland delineation.
• Previous avian/wildlife and wetland delineation survey experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and environmental survey experience in Texas ecology.
• Familiarity with mapping software such as ArcGIS and GPS devices.
• Completed the Wetland Delineation and USACE Permitting Training Course

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 90% 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 online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. 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 on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Austin, TX - based position as a Natural Resources Technician can expect an hourly pay rate of $19.43 - $25.73/hour, an Assistant Staff Biologist an hourly pay rate of $21.53 - $27.83/hour and a Staff Biologist an hourly pay rate of _$_24.15- $31.50/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

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

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