Project-Level Wetland Scientist

SWCA Environmental Consultants • Lombard, IL

3d • $29

About The Position

SWCA's growing Chicago team seeks a Project-level Wetland Scientist to join our natural resources team. We are expanding our team and looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion for delivering the highest-quality project work. If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence in environmental consulting services, this is a great opportunity for you!
The successful candidate will possess a broad range of skills including identification of Midwestern botanical and wildlife species, attention to detail, organizational skills, willingness to learn, effective communication and time management skills.
This is a full-time position supporting projects in Chicago, IL, and the surrounding area(s). This position offers the opportunity to support both field and office-based projects, depending on project needs, and can be hired at the following levels:
Assistant Project Wetland Scientist – Typically with at least 3 years of relevant experience and expertise.
Associate Project Wetland Scientist – Typically with at least 5 years of relevant experience and expertise.
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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Ecology, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience conducting a variety of environmental site investigations including wetland delineation, protected species habitat surveys, Phase 1 site assessments, etc, within the Midwest, Northeast, and Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regions.
• Applicants who are unable to show professional wetland delineation experience will not be considered.
• Completion of a 38-hour wetland delineation training course or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
• Technical writing experience associated with the summarization of site conditions and the preparation of permit compliance evaluations.
• Familiarity with mapping software (such as ArcGIS) and GPS devices.
• Ability to travel to a location, hike and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, while carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds is required.
• Able to conduct overnight mobilizations for up to 1-2 weeks at a time accounting for approximately 60% travel throughout the active field season.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Five (5) years of experience conducting a variety of environmental site investigations including wetland delineation, protected species habitat surveys, Phase 1 site assessments, etc., within the Midwest, Northeast, and Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regions.
• Strong working relationships with the local, state and federal regulatory agencies, such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department Environment Great Lakes and Energy, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the USACE Chicago, Huntington, Detroit, Louisville, and Sant Louis District Offices.
• Task or project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply a broad range of environmental compliance experience to support regional renewable energy and transmission focused projects related to Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.
• Complete technical writing assignments focused on the reporting and permitting of environmental compliance documents.
• Support projects as a task lead and/or project manager depending on level of experience and career aspirations.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other tools for the preparation and execution field studies.
• In the field, oversee a crew or work independently while supporting a variety of data collection needs including wetland delineation, vegetative surveys, protected species and habitat surveys as well as construction compliance efforts.
• Data processing, review, and analysis.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Benefits

• We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together.
• 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.
• We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
• Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA.
• We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, a Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria.
• All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees