Assistant Project Biologist - Wetlands

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Biologist – Wetlands to join our dynamic team in Austin, Texas supporting projects throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area. Engaging in both field and office work, you'll conduct wetland delineations, vegetation surveys, and wildlife assessments. Additional activities will also include pre-development surveys, technical report writing, and assisting with permit applications and project management for a variety of clients. Your expertise will be crucial to project success.

Please note that this position involves demanding fieldwork with anticipated travel reaching at least 60% of your time, including overnight stays. While fieldwork will primarily be throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area, occasional travel to other regions may be required.

This is a hourly, non-exempt, full-time and regular (with benefits) position offering the flexibility of hybrid work, combining field, in-office, and remote work arrangements.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established. 

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

 We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Directs and participates in the collection, management, and summarization of field data and other best available information. Expected to ensure that information collected and applied to projects is accurate, complete, and verifiable.
• Directs and performs simple descriptive data analysis and collaborates with GIS and Statistical teams on more complex tasks to analyze significance, identify trends, and make predictions applicable to project questions. Directs and performs monitoring or management actions in the field to implement project requirements or regulatory terms and conditions. Creates and maintains records of completed activities and conditions for the project record.
• Coordinates and prepares sections of technical resource reports, including setting, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions. Collaborates with Technical Editors to ensure quality of written deliverables.
• Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff on resource science, methods and practices, regulatory requirements, and project or client insights.
• Assists with identifying strategies for avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating project impacts and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Assists in drafting of planning and compliance documents for regulatory reviews and approval.
• Communicates directly with teaming partners, experts, clients, landowners, and agency staff to present or solicit technical information. Memorializes communications for project records and shares important insights, action items, or issues with project teams and supervisors.
• Engages in opportunities to increase understanding of and keep current on matters of science, regulation, and industry related to project work.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead/Conduct wetland delineations, functional assessments, and related aquatic resource surveys.
• Lead field teams during wetland delineation surveys and manage data collection.
• Lead and/or prepare delineation reports and assist with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit applications for regulatory approvals under the Clean Water Act.
• Lead and/or conduct habitat assessments for threatened and endangered species.
• Lead and/or Prepare wildlife technical reports with an emphasis on Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Utilize topographic maps, GPS devices, and other tools during fieldwork.
• Organize and collaborate with team members in the development of project deliverables.
• Lead or assist with preparing scopes and budgets for routine projects.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and oversee their implementation in the field.
• Lead routine projects, processes, or deliverables from start to finish, with support from project managers

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree. Two years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Four years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

Note: Candidates with more experience than outlined below are strongly encouraged to apply. For those with greater qualifications, high titles and salary will be strongly considered.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience conducting wetland delineations and aquatic resource assessments in a professional setting. Candidates that are unable to demonstrate delineation experience will not be considered for this position.
• Experience leading wetland delineation field surveys and research for desktop wetland evaluations and compiling field data into aquatic resource delineation reports.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
• Familiarity with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits and experience preparing pre-construction notifications.
• Available for frequent travel, with field work sometimes reaching 60% of your time.
• Proficiency in GPS devices, digital data collection, and mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles.
• Capability to conduct fieldwork in various conditions and terrain and lift up to 40 pounds of equipment.
• Strong client service orientation and exceptional communication skills.

Other Job Conditions

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements. 

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.  

Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.  

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures. 

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Austin based position is $28.67 to $37.40 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance based bonuses. 

As a 100% employee owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities. 

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected] or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

Use of Technology in Hiring 

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience. 

Candidate Use of AI 

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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