Staff-Level Biologist Monitor

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff-Level Biologist - Monitor to join our Natural Resources team supporting projects in and around Monterey and the Bay Area. In this role, you will provide biological monitoring support for a variety of environmental and construction-related projects, helping to ensure compliance with project requirements and environmental commitments. You will work closely with project teams in the field, documenting observations, communicating monitoring results, and supporting the delivery of high-quality environmental consulting services to our clients. 

This position is a full-time, regular (with benefits), hourly/non-exempt opportunity with varying work schedules based on project needs, construction activities, seasonal considerations, and monitoring requirements.  

Depending on project needs, this position may require significant field presence to support biological monitoring activities and construction compliance efforts throughout the region. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to support project delivery and contribute to successful environmental outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to build technical field skills, gain hands-on experience with biological monitoring programs, and grow your career in environmental consulting. 

Under this job requisition, we may hire for any of the following positions -- 

• Assistant Staff Biologist: Typically, with one (1) year of relevant industry experience and expertise 

• Staff Biologist: Typically, with up to two (2) years of relevant industry experience and expertise. 

Field Supervisory Responsibilities: Depending upon project assignments, this role may serve as the lead for field survey crews, independently directing daily work activities, promoting safe and productive work practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback in support of successful project delivery. 

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

• Assists with tasks to collect, manage, analyze, and/or summarize data in the field, lab, or office. Expected to work efficiently to complete assigned tasks in a manner that ensures the data and findings are accurate, complete, and verifiable. Assigned tasks have clear objectives that may be accomplished through implementation of standardized or routine actions and analysis, and reporting tasks involve mostly descriptive summaries of findings.
• Drafts written summaries of task activities for technical reports and planning documents, including tables, text, and graphics as appropriate to the task.
• Supports coordination with stakeholders, including landowners, clients, and agency staff.
• Communicates frequently and openly with team members and supervisors to ensure that task objectives and methods are clearly understood, task progress is shared, and questions or needs are promptly addressed. This includes initiating and/or responding to communication requests before, during, and after task implementation as part of a real-time, collaborative work effort.
• Follows directions, safety and quality protocols, and other established procedures to complete tasks successfully and with accountability.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Coordinate field activities with project managers, construction crews, environmental specialists, and regulatory representatives to support environmental compliance objectives. 
• Work closely with CPUC third-party monitors, client representatives, construction contractor personnel, and environmental compliance staff to coordinate field efforts and support project compliance requirements. 
• Interpret and apply project environmental requirements identified in CEQA documentation, including Mitigated Negative Declarations and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs. 
• Coordinate and schedule pre-construction surveys and environmental monitoring activities. 
• Conduct environmental compliance inspections, stormwater inspections, biological monitoring, nesting bird surveys, and biological evaluations and assessments. 
• Collect, identify, and document biological resources, including fauna and flora, using established field methodologies. 
• Utilize GPS units, topographic maps, aerial imagery, and other mapping tools to identify project locations, habitat types, and associated landforms. 
• Document field observations through photographs and detailed records of habitats, species, landforms, and environmental conditions. 
• Support compliance with project permits, mitigation measures, conditions of approval, and applicable environmental plans. 
• Follow established field safety check-in, communication, and reporting procedures during field activities 

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree, with demonstrated awareness and interest in one or more technical area.
• Two years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field. 
• One (1) or more years of experience conducting biological surveys, environmental compliance monitoring, construction monitoring, or related fieldwork. 
• Knowledge of California flora, fauna, habitats, and environmental regulations. 
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys and biological monitoring, including nesting bird surveys. 
• Ability to use GPS units, mobile data collection applications, and other field technology. 
• Strong communication, organizational, and technical writing skills. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel. 
• Ability to travel to project sites and perform extended fieldwork in varying terrain and weather conditions, including carrying field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Two (2) or more years of experience. 
• Experience conducting biological monitoring on construction, restoration, or infrastructure projects. 
• Experience with habitat assessments, wetland delineations, vegetation surveys, and special-status species surveys. 
• Familiarity with special-status species and habitats found in coastal California and the San Francisco Bay Area. 
• Experience using GIS software and GPS-enabled field data collection tools. 
• Experience preparing technical reports, monitoring documentation, and environmental compliance reports. 
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) inspection experience and knowledge of erosion and sediment control practices 
• Willingness to work flexible and variable schedules, including early mornings and extended field days 
• Ability and willingness to travel for field assignments, including overnight stays in company-provided lodging 

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.  

Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating 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 Half Moon Bay, CA-based position is: 

• Assistant Staff Biologist: $25.58 to $33.07 per hour
• Staff Biologist: $28.70 to $37.44 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].

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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