Staff Restoration Ecologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Staff Restoration Ecologist for a primarily field-based role in Nevada. The position focuses on conducting botanical and biological surveys, overseeing restoration activities, and requires a background in ecology or related fields. This on-demand, on-call job involves irregular hours, travel, and outdoor work in demanding environments. The role emphasizes data collection and collaboration, with an average of under 19 hours per week.
About the opportunity

Are you interested in environmental consulting services? Do you enjoy working outside and thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellent data collection, team collaboration, and services provided to clients? Are you looking for an opportunity to start and grow your environmental consulting career? SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to join our Las Vegas, Nevada as a Staff Restoration Ecologist. This is an On-Demand/On-Call role.

 

The Staff Restoration Ecologist will be a primarily field-based role, working on project site locations predominately throughout Nevada, focused primarily in southern Nevada. We are looking for someone who is following their passion, gaining valuable field experience, and dedicated to delivering the highest-quality project work. 

 

This position requires an educational and experienced background in botany, biology, ecology, or a related field. This primarily field-based position takes place in an outdoor environment, often remote, where the climate, weather, and terrain that can be demanding.

 

This position will be an On-Demand/On Call role, meaning that the individual in this role typically average under nineteen (19) hours/week over time. This is a largely field-based position conducting botanical and other biological surveys, in rural areas and on construction sites. The position may involve an irregular schedule and extended hours. It is anticipated that travel, including overnight and weekend stays, will be required. Hotel rooms, a field truck, per diem, and other supplies will be provided during field work deployments.

 

The selected candidate will be required to pass client-specific drug and alcohol screening, potentially including pre-fieldwork drug testing and monthly drug testing.

 

Application deadline: This application will close on April 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM PDT.




What you will accomplish

Conduct botanical and other biological surveysOversee and implement restoration activities (such as small-scale plant salvage and plant maintenance [in the field and greenhouse])Conduct surveys for various botanical resources including botanical resource surveys, noxious and invasive weed surveys, succulent surveys, vegetation community/habitat verification surveys, pollinator host-plant surveysConduct other biological field studies as neededObserve and oversee effective treatment of soil and botanical resources on construction sites through site preparation, active construction, and post-construction restorationUse topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landformsPhotograph and record appropriate habitat, species, and landforms.Enter and proof data collected during field work.Project work may include renewable generation projects (wind, solar, geothermal), electrical transmission, oil and gas development, transmission/pipelines, transportation, mining, and Federal clients and partnersCoordinate and communicate with project managers, environmental inspectors, construction staff and other SWCA staff as necessaryAdhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards Operate SWCA vehiclesDrive a 4-wheel drive vehicle, all-terrain vehicle/utility task vehicle (ATV/UTV)on rugged, backcountry roadsWork both independently and as a member of a teamTake initiative, resolve problems, and communicate with team members to ensure tasks are completed in the most effective mannerAdhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards. For assistant staff restoration ecologists: Supervise a small crew while conducting cultural 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 are 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; andMonitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.
Experience and qualifications for success

A.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field preferred but not required. Coursework in botany and/or field ecology strongly preferredUp to 1 year of ecological restoration experienceTypically, up to 2 years of field-based survey experience preferredAbility to identify or key plant species of NevadaAbility to record detailed field notesAbility to use digital tablet for GPS navigation and recording of field data requiredAbility 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 requiredValid driver’s license and the ability to drive or learn to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads requiredAbility to travel to often remote project sites

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 need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; 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 on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

 

An employee in this Las Vegas, NV office -based position can expect a pay rate of $24.21/hour to $30.90/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

 

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

 

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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.



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