Description: 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Wetland Scientist to join our dynamic team in Austin, Texas supporting projects throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area. Engaging in both field and office work, you'll conduct wetland delineations, vegetation surveys, wildlife assessments, and a variety of other natural resource field studies. In this roll, you'll conduct pre-construction surveys, write technical reports, and assist with permit applications and project management for a variety of clients. Your expertise will be crucial to project success.

We will consider both Associate and Project-level candidates for this role:

• Assistant Project Wetland Scientist: Typically, with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Associate Project Wetland Scientist: Typically, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Project Wetland Scientist: Typically, with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.

This is a permanent full-time benefited position offering the flexibility of hybrid work, combining field, in-office, and remote work arrangements. Preference will be giving to candidates in the Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area.

Please note that this position involves demanding fieldwork with anticipated travel reaching at least 60% of your time, including overnight stays. While fieldwork will primarily be throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area, occasional travel to other regions may be required.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct wetland delineations, functional assessments, and related aquatic resource surveys.
• Lead field teams during wetland delineation surveys and manage data collection.
• Prepare delineation reports and assist with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit applications for regulatory approvals under the Clean Water Act.
• Conduct habitat assessments for threatened and endangered species.
• Prepare wildlife technical reports with an emphasis on Endangered Species Act compliance.
• Utilize topographic maps, GPS devices, and other tools during fieldwork.
• Collaborate with team members in the development of project deliverables.
• Assist with preparing scopes and budgets for routine projects.
• Communicate effectively with clients and agency representatives throughout project lifecycles.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and oversee their implementation in the field.
• Lead routine projects, processes, or deliverables from start to finish, with support from project managers.

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience conducting wetland delineations and aquatic resource assessments in a professional setting. Candidates that are unable to demonstrate delineation experience will not be considered for this position.
• Experience leading wetland delineation field surveys and research for desktop wetland evaluations and compiling field data into aquatic resource delineation reports.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
• Available for frequent travel, with field work sometimes reaching 60% of your time.
• Proficiency in GPS devices, digital data collection, and mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles.
• Capability to conduct fieldwork in various conditions and terrain and lift up to 40 pounds of equipment.
• Strong client service orientation and exceptional communication skills.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of experience leading wetland delineations, habitat assessments, and training junior staff.
• Completion of a wetland delineation training course, such as those offered by the Swamp School, Wetland Training Institute, Whitenton Group, or Richard Chinn Environmental Training.
• Experience leading wetland survey teams throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast area and leading site visits with agency personnel.
• Professional Wetland Scientist or Wetland Professional in Training Certification.

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.

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 this Austin, TX - based position can expect a rate of $26.25 - $34.25/hour at the Assistant Project Wetland Scientist, $31.50 - $40.43/hour at the Associate Project Wetland Scientist level, and $72,072.00 - $92,820.00/year at the Project Wetland Scientist level. 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 Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

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.

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 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.

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 accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.