Staff Restoration Engineer

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Lombard, IL

20d•$32 - $42•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Staff-level Restoration Engineer to contribute to the growth of its ecological restoration practice in the Great Lakes region and support restoration projects throughout the United States. The role focuses on ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering, including stream, wetland, coastal and living shoreline design, and nature-based infrastructure. The position is based in the Lombard, Illinois office and may be performed in a hybrid or remote arrangement. Candidates near the Chicago or Michigan offices are preferred, though applicants from other locations may be considered. Occasional travel, estimated at about 20% and often local or regional, is required for site assessments, field data collection, and client meetings; domestic travel by commercial airline may also be required. This is a permanent, full-time, regular, hourly, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position reporting to the Lombard office. The position may be hired at either Assistant Staff Restoration Engineer level, for which one year of relevant experience is required and two years preferred, or Staff Restoration Engineer level, for which two years of relevant experience is required and three years preferred. The work includes supporting restoration design, field investigations, modeling and calculations, technical reporting, permitting, construction oversight, and preparation of construction drawings and specifications. The role also includes geomorphic surveys, assessing reference reaches, contributing to restoration plans for streams, wetlands, prairies and woodlands, and developing project coordination and management skills. The expected Chicago-based pay range is $28.09–$36.51 per hour for Assistant Staff Restoration Engineer and $32.02–$41.57 per hour for Staff Restoration Engineer. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may receive performance-based bonuses. SWCA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing environmental services across the United States.

Requirements

At least one year of relevant, progressively responsible experience; role-specific experience requirements are one year for Assistant Staff level and two years for Staff level.
Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental or Coastal Engineering, or equivalent combination of experience, performance, training and/or education.
One year of ecosystem restoration design experience.
Knowledge of erosion and sediment control, stormwater management and civil site design principles.
Experience with hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Strong communication and organizational skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel.

Nice To Haves

Three years of related experience is preferred; three years of ecosystem restoration design experience is listed as a preferred qualification.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation or certification.
Experience developing ecological restoration design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Experience with survey equipment and techniques.
Familiarity with engineering software such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling.

Responsibilities

Support development of engineering designs for restoration projects, including streams, wetlands, living shorelines and nature-based infrastructure, collaborating with senior engineers to refine concepts and assess feasibility.
Complete discrete tasks or small project components and make limited technical decisions within defined procedures.
Conduct field investigations, collect data, and verify compliance with design plans and regulatory requirements.
Prepare technical reports documenting inspection findings, analyses and fieldwork in alignment with project goals and industry and regulatory standards.
Assist with permitting and regulatory approvals by preparing documentation and collaborating with project teams to ensure plans comply with local, state and federal regulations.
Monitor contractor performance during construction oversight, check adherence to project specifications, identify issues and recommend corrective actions under supervision.
Help evaluate potential project sites and restoration approaches for technical and financial viability, and contribute input to plans and methods.
Assist with construction drawings and specifications, ensuring they accurately represent project designs and comply with regulatory standards.
Support modeling and calculations to inform designs, evaluate scenarios, optimize solutions and ensure accuracy.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate environmental science and engineering into project designs and support project planning.
Conduct geomorphic surveys and assess reference reach sites to support restoration planning and design.
Participate in developing restoration designs and construction plans for streams, wetlands, prairies and woodlands.
Write clear and concise technical documentation summarizing engineering analyses and design recommendations.
Identify, communicate and help mitigate safety hazards in accordance with project safety requirements.
Represent the organization at industry conferences and professional events.
Develop project management skills by participating in project coordination and delivery activities.
Pursue professional development, stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies, and follow applicable regulations, standards and specifications.
Perform related work as assigned.