Staff Biologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Austin, TX

3d•$25 - $33•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Staff Biologist to support natural resources projects in Texas and surrounding states as part of the Austin Natural Resources team. The position performs biological field surveys, wetland delineations, data collection and entry, and report writing. Work is anticipated to be approximately 80% fieldwork, including travel, and 20% office work. The role is based in the Austin, Texas office, and hybrid work environments are encouraged. It is a regular, full-time, hourly, non-exempt position with benefits. Projects may involve renewable generation, transmission, oil and gas, transportation, land development, and water infrastructure. The position requires frequent travel, including weekends, and may involve being away for several days or weeks. Fieldwork can involve long hours in rugged terrain and harsh or inclement weather. Depending on project assignments, the role may lead field survey crews, directing daily work, supporting safe and productive practices, communicating project or personnel issues to management, and providing performance-related feedback. The Staff Biologist collects, manages, analyzes, and summarizes field, laboratory, or office data; drafts technical report sections and summaries; supports stakeholder coordination; and assists with presentations and publications under supervision. Specific field activities may include wetland delineations, wildlife habitat assessments, acoustical monitoring, avian point counts, and vegetation surveys. The role also supports permit applications and uses ESRI applications and other mapping and field equipment to document and locate project resources.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field, or equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and education.
At least one year of relevant professional natural resources field experience.
Knowledge of flora and fauna in Texas and surrounding states.
Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to travel to field locations and work long hours, sometimes in inclement weather and rugged terrain.
Frequent travel, including weekends, is required; fieldwork may reach 80% of the work schedule.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel, including commercial airline travel.

Nice To Haves

Three years of relevant natural resources field experience.
Experience conducting wildlife and botanical surveys.
Experience conducting aquatic resources delineations.
Experience preparing nationwide permit preconstruction notifications.
Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT) or Associate Wildlife Biologist (AWB) certification.
Experience collecting field data using tablets with ESRI applications such as Field Maps and Survey123.
Working knowledge of wetland and riparian plant identification, wetland soils, and wetland hydrology indicators.

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 and sections of technical reports and planning documents, including tables, text, and graphics as appropriate.
Support coordination with landowners, clients, agency staff, and other stakeholders.
Assist in presenting and publishing information on environmental or regulatory topics under supervision.
Communicate with team members and supervisors about 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.
Lead field crews or assist crew leaders with natural resources studies, including wetland delineations, wildlife habitat assessments, acoustical monitoring, avian point counts, and vegetation surveys.
Assist with preparing permit applications for local, federal, and state agencies under supervision.
Record field data and photograph habitats, species, and aquatic resources using ESRI applications such as Field Maps and Survey123.
Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, ArcGIS, and related tools to locate project areas, habitat types, and aquatic resources.
Operate SWCA vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles on rugged backcountry roads.
Adhere to the safety program, look out for the safety of others, and promptly communicate and mitigate safety hazards.
Perform related work as assigned.