Project Botanist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Monterey, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Botanist for its Natural Resources Program in Half Moon Bay, California. The role supports natural resources projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, and Northern California, with a focus on botanical resources, waters permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory support. Projects may include infrastructure, restoration, utility, transportation, renewable energy, and land development. The position is full-time, regular, salaried/exempt, and based from the Half Moon Bay office with hybrid work arrangements available. The Project Botanist conducts botanical field studies, supports permitting and environmental documentation, prepares technical reports, and assists with environmental compliance. The position works closely with project managers, botanists, biological resources specialists, permitting professionals, and Natural Resources leadership. Duties include collecting and managing field data; conducting descriptive analyses; carrying out field monitoring or management actions; preparing technical reports and compliance documents; mentoring junior staff; developing impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies; and communicating technical or regulatory information to clients, agencies, landowners, and project partners. The role also supports project planning and delivery, proposal development, budgeting, client outreach, and business development. Work is regularly performed outdoors and may involve domestic travel. Field conditions can include uneven terrain, extended hiking, varying or extreme weather, and exposure to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, and tools. The position requires carrying field equipment, following safety procedures, and safely operating company vehicles. A valid driver's license meeting company requirements is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field, or equivalent education, training, performance, and experience.
At least 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, including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Commitment to health and safety, including identifying potential hazards and applying appropriate procedures during field activities.
Ability to carry field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds and undertake extended walking or hiking during field investigations.
Ability to operate company vehicles safely and hold a valid driver’s license that meets company requirements.
Willingness to participate in pre-employment drug and alcohol screening when required for a specific project.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel.
Ability to work outdoors on uneven terrain and in varying or extreme weather, and to lift and carry equipment weighing 25–50 pounds.
Ability to follow safety procedures while working around vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, and sharp or heavy tools.

Nice To Haves

Seven years of related experience is preferred; seven years of related botanical, ecological, or natural resource consulting experience is listed as a preferred qualification.
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.

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.
Conduct field monitoring or management actions to implement project requirements and regulatory terms and conditions.
Maintain records of completed activities and project conditions.
Prepare technical resource reports and sections of reports, including project setting, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.
Collaborate with technical editors to ensure the quality of written deliverables.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff on resource science, methods, regulatory requirements, and project or client matters.
Develop strategies to avoid, minimize, or mitigate project impacts and ensure regulatory compliance.
Prepare planning and compliance documents for regulatory review and approval.
Lead technical discussions with project partners, experts, clients, landowners, and agency staff; record communications and share key information with project teams and supervisors.
Prepare and provide resource or regulatory updates to clients.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Partner with project managers and clients to plan, coordinate, and deliver natural resource projects.
Support project requirements related to NEPA, ESA, CWA, and associated 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 hazards.
Perform related work as assigned.