Assistant Project Ecologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Tampa, FL

23h•$27 - $36•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Ecologist to join our Natural Resources team in Tampa, FL. The ideal candidate will have experience in wildlife ecology, environmental permitting, and habitat assessments, particularly within Florida and the southeastern United States. This role involves fieldwork, regulatory coordination, and technical reporting to support ecological projects, including species surveys, wetland delineations, and permitting efforts. This is an hourly, full-time opportunity offering hybrid work arrangements. Occasional travel for fieldwork may be required across different ecoregions in the Southeast, and overnight stays should be anticipated as part of this fieldwork. Candidates should be within driving distance of Tampa, FL. You will collaborate with project managers, clients, and multidisciplinary teams to support project execution and ensure successful delivery of environmental outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to expand project responsibility, strengthen technical expertise, and take ownership of key project components.

Requirements

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.
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources, or a related field.
Experience developing and implementing wildlife or habitat management plans and budgets
Experience with prescribed fire, invasive/nonnative species control, and habitat restoration techniques
Proficiency in conducting wildlife surveys, including for endangered or imperiled species
Experience with ArcGIS and wildlife or land management databases
Experience supervising and training staff, interns, or volunteers
Expertise in avian ecology, particularly with shorebirds or state/federally listed species

Responsibilities

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.