Staff Biologist

at SWCA Environmental Consultants in Lombard, Illinois, United States

Job Description

About the opportunity

SWCA's growing Chicago team seeks a Staff Biologist to join our natural resources team. As a member of our team, you will actively support a diversified mix of field and office assignments, depending on project schedules and season. Field assignments may include wetland evaluations, endangered species investigations, site assessments, construction oversight, and compliance monitoring. Office assignments may include assisting with data interpretation and tabulations, scientific report writing, and permit preparation.
The successful candidate will possess a broad range of skills including identification of northeastern United States botanical and wildlife species, attention to detail, organizational skills, willingness to learn, effective communication and time management skills. A key element of this job will be to independently supervise an environmental survey crew in the field.
This position is an hourly, full-time, position with the option to work in a hybrid fashion from the Chicago/Lombard, IL office. This position can be hired at the following levels:
Assistant Staff Biologist - Typically with at least 1 year of relevant experience and expertise.
Staff Biologist - Typically with at least 2 years of relevant experience and expertise.
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.
What you will accomplish

Conduct a variety of natural resources field studies including wetland delineations, vegetation and habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and wildlife surveys.
Conduct detailed fieldwork, organize and save field data in digital formats, and write technical reports and permit applications for approvals under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines.
Supervise a small crew while conducting environmental fieldwork. This includes:
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.
Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Wetland Science, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field.
Minimum of one (1) year of experience supporting or leading natural resources fieldwork focused on threatened/endangered species, wetland delineations, aquatic resources assessments, and compliance monitoring.
Ability to travel to a location, hike and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, while carrying equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds is required.
Valid driver's license, with a good driving record and access to personal transportation.
Experience working in an outdoor setting conducing labor intensive tasks while hiking long distances.
Able to conduct overnight mobilizations for up to 1-2 weeks at a time accounting for approximately 40% travel throughout the active field season.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in MS Office products and technical writing.

Preferred Qualifications:
Two (2) or more relevant years of experience.
Extensive working knowledge of botanical species taxonomy and proficiency in species identification in the field.
Renewable energy project experience within the Midwest United States.
Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, 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.

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top... For full info follow application link.

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