Assistant Project Biologist

Are you passionate about delivering excellence in environmental consulting services? Do you love field biology activities? At SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA), we are expanding our Front Range natural resources team and seek a driven, experienced, and dynamic Assistant Project Biologist. This position supports both office and field projects, primarily in Wyoming, and Colorado. Field work and travel are key components of this position, likely range from 70% to 80% for this role. Assignments may last 2-3 weeks at a time. You must be prepared to conduct fieldwork in challenging conditions, including long hours in inclement weather, walking up to 10 miles per day in rugged terrain, and carrying equipment or supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.

Our natural resources activities support renewable energy and electrical transmission projects. As an Assistant Staff Biologist, your primary duties will involve conducting natural resource studies such as avian and wildlife surveys, wildlife habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, and vegetation and rare or invasive plant surveys. Experience working as a biological monitor or on soils and reclamation projects will be highly valued.

You may work out of our Broomfield, CO or Ft. Collins, CO offices. Flexible work arrangements, including remote or hybrid options, are available for highly qualified candidates in the Colorado Front Range or southern Wyoming.

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.

• Assist crew leaders with various natural resources field studies, including avian and wildlife surveys, wildlife habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species surveys, ecological restoration activities, soils surveys, and vegetation and rare and/or invasive plant surveys.
• Record data accurately using tablets, field site forms, and other tools.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, tablets, and other resources to determine exact project locations and document habitat types and landforms.
• Operate 4-wheel drive and off-road vehicles in diverse terrains and weather conditions.
• Support project managers in data organization, interpretation, and report preparation.
• Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

As an Assistant Project Biologist, part of your job responsibilities will include supervising a small crew while conducting environmental fieldwork. This includes:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers.
4. Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field.
5. Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when correction action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Wildlife Biology, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong field skills and experience conducting biological surveys and monitoring.
• Previous experience with construction monitoring or as an environmental inspector
• Proficiency with GIS collection software, Microsoft Office, and tablets.
• Willingness to travel for field assignments, including 2 week deployments at a time at remote locations.
• Valid driver's license with the ability to operate or learn to operate ATVs, UTVS, and trailers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of regional flora and fauna in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, or Nevada (or in similar ecosystems).
• Experience conducting fieldwork for listed and BLM-sensitive species in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, or Wyoming
• Experience with soil sampling and ecological restoration activities.
• Experience conducting wetland delineations.
• Technical writing experience and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Capacity to work in challenging conditions (inclement weather, rugged terrain, long hours) and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

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 need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; 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 in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Denver or Ft. Collins, CO office-based position can expect an hourly wage of $28.67/hour to $37.40/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. 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.

SWCA Environmental Consultants 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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