Staff Level Biologist -Monitor

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Morgan Hill, CA

23h•$26 - $37

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Staff-Level Biologist - Monitor for its Natural Resources team. The role supports environmental and construction-related projects through biological monitoring, environmental compliance work, field documentation, and coordination with project teams and stakeholders. The position is full-time, regular, hourly/non-exempt, with schedules that vary according to project needs, construction activities, seasons, and monitoring requirements. It may involve substantial fieldwork throughout the region and domestic travel, potentially including overnight stays in company-provided lodging. The requisition may be filled at the Assistant Staff Biologist level, typically for candidates with one year of relevant industry experience, or the Staff Biologist level, typically for candidates with up to two years of relevant industry experience. Depending on assignments, the role may lead field survey crews by directing daily activities, promoting safe and productive practices, communicating project and personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback. The position involves collecting, managing, analyzing, and summarizing data in field, laboratory, or office settings; preparing descriptive summaries and report materials; and coordinating with project managers, construction crews, environmental specialists, regulatory representatives, clients, landowners, and agency staff. Field activities include compliance inspections, stormwater inspections, biological monitoring, nesting bird surveys, biological evaluations, and assessments. The role applies environmental requirements documented in CEQA materials and supports compliance with permits, mitigation measures, conditions of approval, and environmental plans. Work is regularly outdoors and includes hiking over uneven terrain, carrying field equipment, and working in varying or extreme weather. Employees may encounter vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, and sharp or heavy tools while following safety procedures. The position requires a valid driver’s license meeting SWCA requirements and the ability to obtain and maintain travel documents for work-related travel. The listed hourly pay ranges are $25.58–$33.07 for Assistant Staff Biologist and $28.70–$37.44 for Staff Biologist; eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
At least one year of experience conducting biological surveys, environmental compliance monitoring, construction monitoring, or related fieldwork.
Knowledge of California flora, fauna, habitats, and environmental regulations.
Experience conducting wildlife surveys and biological monitoring, including nesting bird surveys.
Ability to use GPS units, mobile data collection applications, and other field technology.
Strong communication, organizational, and technical writing skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel.
Ability to travel to project sites and perform extended fieldwork in varied terrain and weather, including carrying field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA driver requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel.
Ability to hike over uneven terrain, lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds, and work outdoors in varying or extreme weather conditions.
Adherence to safety procedures while working around vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, and sharp or heavy tools.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of related experience.
Experience conducting biological monitoring on construction, restoration, or infrastructure projects.
Experience with habitat assessments, wetland delineations, vegetation surveys, and special-status species surveys.
Familiarity with special-status species and habitats in coastal California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Experience using GIS software and GPS-enabled field data collection tools.
Experience preparing technical reports, monitoring documentation, and environmental compliance reports.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan inspection experience and knowledge of erosion and sediment control practices.
Willingness to work flexible and variable schedules, including early mornings and extended field days.
Ability and willingness to travel for field assignments, including overnight stays in company-provided lodging.
Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree, with demonstrated awareness and interest in one or more technical areas; equivalent combinations of experience, performance, training, and education may be considered.

Responsibilities

Collect, manage, analyze, and summarize data in the field, laboratory, or office, ensuring findings are accurate, complete, and verifiable.
Draft written summaries of task activities for technical reports and planning documents, including tables, text, and graphics as appropriate.
Coordinate with stakeholders, including landowners, clients, and agency staff.
Communicate with team members and supervisors about task objectives, methods, progress, questions, and needs before, during, and after task implementation.
Follow directions, safety and quality protocols, established procedures, and applicable regulations, standards, and specifications.
Coordinate field activities with project managers, construction crews, environmental specialists, and regulatory representatives to support environmental compliance.
Work with CPUC third-party monitors, client representatives, construction contractor personnel, and environmental compliance staff to coordinate field efforts.
Interpret and apply project environmental requirements identified in CEQA documentation, including Mitigated Negative Declarations and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs.
Coordinate and schedule pre-construction surveys and environmental monitoring activities.
Conduct environmental compliance inspections, stormwater inspections, biological monitoring, nesting bird surveys, and biological evaluations and assessments.
Collect, identify, and document fauna and flora using established field methodologies.
Use GPS units, topographic maps, aerial imagery, and other mapping tools to identify project locations, habitat types, and landforms.
Document field observations with photographs and detailed records of habitats, species, landforms, and environmental conditions.
Support compliance with project permits, mitigation measures, conditions of approval, and applicable environmental plans.
Follow field safety check-in, communication, and reporting procedures; identify, communicate, and help mitigate safety hazards.
Depending on assignment, lead field survey crews, direct daily work, promote safe and productive work practices, communicate issues to management, and provide performance-related feedback.
Perform related work as assigned.