SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of cultural and natural resource scientists and planners. Our professionals specialize in natural and cultural resources management, environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and sustainability services. We are seeking an Assistant Avian Biologist (HR Title= Assistant Staff Biologist) to support both office and field natural resources projects in our growing Minnesota/Dakotas team. The selected individual will be part of our natural resources team supporting projects primarily in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, but may also support projects in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. We work to support our client's needs across multiple service areas including renewable generation and transmission, oil & gas, mining, water resources, and ecological restoration.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly position, based out of either Minneapolis, Minnesota or Bismarck, North Dakota. Highly qualified remote (= distributed) employees in Minnesota, the Dakotas, or nearby states will also be seriously considered.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm with 1,600 employees, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

• Assist crew leaders with a variety of natural resources field studies including avian and wildlife surveys, wildlife habitat assessments, aquatic surveys, and vegetation and rare plant surveys.
• Record data on GPS units and field site forms or other forms.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Photograph and record appropriate habitat, species, and landforms.
• Operate 4-wheel drive and off-road vehicles in all terrains and weather conditions.
• Assist project managers in data organization, interpretation, and report preparation as needed.
• Adhere to SWCA's safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics
• For Assistant Staff Biologist, responsibilities include:
  • Supervise a small crew while conducting environmental fieldwork.
  • Independently assigning and directing the activities of others on behalf of SWCA, often in remote areas without immediate guidance from senior managers, to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
  • Ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities and delegated tasks and being held accountable if crew members under your supervision are not performing their activities correctly, productively, and safely.
  • Serving as a conduit of communication between employees and senior managers, including communicating issues to relevant senior managers.
  • Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field.
  • Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when correction action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback

• Required
  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related life sciences field.
  • Previous experience conducting avian surveys, fieldwork, and/or research studies.
  • Experience identifying avian species in the Northern Great Plains.
  • Experience conducting habitat assessments for avian species.
  • Experience monitoring eagle nests.
  • Experience conducting field work or related outdoor work in the Northern Great Plains.
  • Ability to travel to the field up to 90% of the time, including spending up to 2 to 3 weeks at a time at a field location.
  • Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather conditions, walk up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain, and carry equipment and/or supplies, weighing up to 40 pounds.
  • Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.
  • Must have ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to assure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
  • Ability to record accurate field notes and communicate effectively with project management team.
  • Must have excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
  • Experience using GIS collection software and hardware.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn and comply with company operational and safety procedures.
  • Valid driver's license and the ability to drive or learn to drive ATVs, UTVS, and other off-road vehicles and haul trailers.

• Preferred
  • Experience conducting preconstruction avian use surveys for renewable energy projects.
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn company procedures.
  • Technical writing experience.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Willingness to learn, have fun, and grow into increasing responsibilities in a positive work environment.

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 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in the Minnesota/Dakotas team position can expect a rate of $20.50/hour to $26.50/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA Environmental Consultants continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

#LI-JR1

#IND-SWCA