Project Biologist / Ecologist / Wetland Scientist

Job description

About the opportunity:
SWCA Environmental Consultants is looking for a Biologist, Ecologist, or Wetland Scientist to join our growing Raleigh, NC office. The selected individual will be part of the Natural Resources team supporting various projects in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and across the Central-East Region. We work to support our client's needs across multiple service areas including renewable generation, transportation, site development, and ecological restoration.

This position is a permanent, full-time position that will involve project management, field data collection, data analysis, permitting, and documentation. Interactions with both regulatory agencies and clients is expected. The position is appropriate for a mid-level professional with five or more years of experience working in a private sector (consulting) or agency setting.

What you will accomplish:
Manages a variety of natural resources projects and field studies including biological assessments/evaluations, wetland delineations, plant and wildlife surveys, and aquatic species surveys.

Leads tasks/projects from start to finish.

Designs field approaches/plans and leads project teams to complete tasks/projects.

Manages quality and completeness of data collection and analysis and report completion from start to finish.

Performs delineations of wetlands and waters pursuant to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), state and local protocols.

Prepares and submits 401/404 permit applications; obtains project-related documents from state and local agencies.

Independently engages with regulatory agencies and clients to develop and execute strategies to comply with environmental law, regulations, and agency policies.

Prepares technical reports describing findings from field and survey efforts.

Prepares technical sections of natural resource regulatory documents including NEPA documents (EA/EIS), Biological Assessments, Biological Evaluations, and other technical reports and/or permitting documents.

Experience and qualifications for success:
Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.

Minimum of 3 years of experience working in a private sector (i.e., consulting) or regulatory agency setting managing projects involving fieldwork, data analysis, technical reports, and permitting documentation.

Minimum of 1 year of permitting experience performing wetland and Waters of the US delineations pursuant to USACE protocols, resulting in approved JDs.

Knowledge of flora and fauna in southeastern U.S.

Working knowledge of environmental regulations, particularly Clean Water Act sections 404 and 401, Endangered Species Act sections 10 and 7, and National Environmental Policy Act.

Experience with GIS software and Trimble GPS units and ability to use technology for data collection.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.

Training/certification in North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method (NCWAM) and North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NCSAM).

Experience with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) projects and/or geography.

Experience with ecological restoration, stream/wetland mitigation, or transportation projects.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. 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.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email or call (phone number removed). This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA operates in compliance with all federal, state, and local COVID-19 safety protocols and vaccination requirements. As such, employment at SWCA is contingent upon providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or being granted an approved vaccination exemption before starting at SWCA.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.