Do you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services for your clients? SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding our San Diego Natural Resources team and looking for dynamic individuals who following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work.
SWCA is expanding our natural resources team and seeking an On-Call Natural Resources Technical Advisor to support a variety of environmental projects involving a range of field and office duties. 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.
Travel, including overnight stays, may be required for this position. Fieldwork will primarily be located in the southern California region.
Responsibilities:
- While working in a multi-discipline team, you will be collaborating with botanists, wildlife biologists, soil scientists, geomorphologists, landscape architects, hydrologists, restoration engineers, and planners.
- Provide technical expertise and guidance to support natural resource projects including feasibility assessments, survey planning, biological monitoring, reporting, visual presentations, and overall project management.
- You will have a passion for natural resources, the capacity to learn, the desire to challenge yourself by developing new approaches and strategies, and communicate with team members and clients (verbal and writing)
In addition you will also support the team by conducting wildlife and vegetation baseline studies, nesting bird surveys, and biological evaluations and 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.
Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.
What you will accomplish
Conduct wildlife and vegetation baseline studies, nesting bird surveys, and biological evaluations and 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.
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 California fauna is required and experience working throughout southern California ecosystems
- Prior experience with GIS software (ArcGIS) and Trimble GPS units 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
- Experience preparing technical studies and/or conceptual and detailed survey plans for natural resource projects, including site assessments, evaluations, and vegetation inventories.
- Expertise collecting, organizing, and analyzing field data that meets the highest standards using the latest protocols and tools.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel
- Report or other writing experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years or field seasons of experience completing biological surveys, fieldwork, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and/or construction monitoring; experience with southern California species and habitats,
- Proven ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience with biostatistics, experimental design, and survey techniques.
- Experience and knowledge with wildlife and/or botanical surveys and biotechnical reporting
- Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills as well as ability to multitask.
- 10(a) 1(a) permits for various wildlife surveys is a plus, and/or botanical and wetland delineation experience.
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 San Diego, CA based position can expect an hourly rate between $42.19 /hour and -$72.00/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. 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.
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. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success
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