Project Botanist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Santa Cruz, CA

2d•$85,663 - $110,323•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Project Botanist for its Natural Resources Program, based in Half Moon Bay, California, with hybrid work arrangements available. The role supports natural resources projects across the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and Northern California, with emphasis on botanical resources, waters permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory support. Projects may involve infrastructure, restoration, utilities, transportation, renewable energy, and land development. The Project Botanist conducts and supports botanical field studies, permitting, environmental documentation, and compliance work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The position contributes technical reports and regulatory documents, helps clients navigate regulatory processes, and supports project planning, delivery, and client success. It also provides technical guidance to junior staff and may assist with proposals, budgeting, client outreach, and business development. This is a full-time, regular, salaried/exempt position with benefits. The role may involve domestic travel and regular outdoor fieldwork, including hiking over uneven terrain, carrying equipment, and working in varying or extreme weather conditions. Applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and current resume. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field; knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree.
Four years of professional experience conducting botanical surveys and related natural resource fieldwork.
Experience conducting rare plant surveys and identifying plants in the field using botanical keys and standard taxonomic methods.
Coursework in Plant Taxonomy or equivalent academic training in plant identification and classification.
Understanding of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and permitting requirements affecting natural resource projects.
Experience supporting environmental permitting, compliance, restoration, or resource management projects in aquatic, wetland, riparian, coastal, or other waters-related environments.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated commitment to health and safety, including identifying hazards and implementing appropriate procedures during field activities.
Ability to carry field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds and conduct extended walking or hiking during field investigations.
Ability to operate company vehicles safely and maintain a valid driver’s license meeting company requirements.
Willingness to participate in pre-employment drug and alcohol screening when required by a specific project.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel.
Qualified applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and current resume.

Nice To Haves

Seven years of related botanical, ecological, or natural resource consulting experience.
Experience supporting environmental permitting and compliance projects involving waters, wetlands, streams, riparian habitats, habitat restoration, or aquatic resources.
Experience preparing technical documentation for federal, state, or local permitting and environmental review processes.
Prior project planning, budgeting, scheduling, or task management experience.
Experience working with federal, state, or local resource agencies involved in environmental permitting and natural resource management.
Demonstrated ability to take on increasing project management and leadership responsibilities.
Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, clients, regulators, and stakeholders on environmental projects.
Equivalent combinations of experience, performance, training, and/or education may be considered.

Responsibilities

Direct and participate in collecting, managing, and summarizing field data and other available information, ensuring it is accurate, complete, and verifiable.
Perform descriptive data analysis and collaborate with GIS and Statistical teams on more complex analyses.
Direct and perform field monitoring or management actions required by projects or regulatory terms and maintain records of completed activities and conditions.
Prepare technical resource reports and report sections, including project setting, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions; work with Technical Editors to ensure quality.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff on resource science, methods, regulatory requirements, and project or client insights.
Develop strategies to avoid, minimize, or mitigate project impacts and support compliance with regulatory standards.
Prepare planning and compliance documents for regulatory review and approval.
Lead technical discussions with teaming partners, experts, clients, landowners, and agency staff; document communications and share relevant insights, actions, and issues with project teams and supervisors.
Prepare and provide resource or regulatory updates to clients.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, and local regulations, as well as industry, contractual, and company standards and specifications.
Partner with project managers and clients to plan, coordinate, and execute natural resource projects.
Support project requirements associated with NEPA, ESA, CWA, and related environmental permitting and planning processes.
Review environmental documents prepared by other environmental specialists for technical quality and consistency.
Assist with proposal development, project budgeting, client outreach, and business development.
Identify process improvements, resolve project challenges, and implement solutions that support client objectives.
Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans when applicable, and anticipate potential safety hazards.
Perform related work as assigned.