Staff Level Biologist -Monitor

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Santa Cruz, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff-Level Biologist - Monitor to join its Natural Resources team supporting projects in and around Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area. The role provides biological monitoring and environmental compliance support for environmental and construction-related projects. It involves working in the field with multidisciplinary project teams, documenting observations, communicating monitoring results, and supporting the delivery of environmental consulting services. Significant field presence may be required throughout the region, depending on project needs. Work schedules vary according to project needs, construction activities, seasonal considerations, and monitoring requirements. The role may be hired at the Assistant Staff Biologist or Staff Biologist level. Depending on project assignments, the employee may lead field survey crews, direct daily work, promote safe and productive work practices, communicate project and personnel issues to management, and provide performance-related feedback. The position supports data collection and management, technical reporting, stakeholder coordination, and compliance with environmental requirements and established safety and quality procedures.

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 varying terrain and weather conditions, including carrying field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
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 travel.
Adherence to the safety program, including promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards and looking out for the safety of others.
Ability to work outdoors, hike over uneven terrain, lift and carry equipment weighing 25–50 pounds, and work in varying or extreme weather conditions.
Minimum qualifications state that knowledge is normally obtained through a bachelor's degree, with demonstrated awareness and interest in one or more technical areas; two years of related experience is preferred, or an equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

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 found 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 (SWPPP) 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.

Responsibilities

Collect, manage, analyze, and summarize field, laboratory, or office data, 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, and communicate task progress, methods, questions, and needs with team members and supervisors.
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.
Coordinate with CPUC third-party monitors, client representatives, construction contractor personnel, and environmental compliance staff on field efforts and project compliance requirements.
Interpret and apply project environmental requirements 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 and stormwater inspections, biological monitoring, nesting bird surveys, and biological evaluations and assessments.
Collect, identify, and document biological resources, including 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.
When assigned to lead field survey crews, direct daily work, promote safe and productive work practices, communicate project and personnel issues to management, and provide performance-related feedback.
Perform related work as assigned.