Temporary Assistant Environmental Scientist - Maui

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Temporary Assistant Environmental Scientist in Maui, HI. The role involves supporting wildlife monitoring projects, managing data, and coordinating with the project manager. Candidates should have a background in natural resources and biological studies, as well as strong interpersonal skills. The position is primarily field-based but can be performed remotely from anywhere on Maui. It requires physical fitness and the ability to work independently.
Position: Temporary Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist - Maui, HI

About the opportunity

Are you passionate about applying science to better understand Hawaiʻi’s wildlife and flora? SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and self-motivated Temporary Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist with strong interpersonal skills and a background in natural resources and biological studies to join our fast-paced, supportive team of Hawaiʻi-based biologists.

This individual will primarily support field operations for a large wildlife monitoring project on the islands of Maui and Lanaʻi. Depending on the selected candidate’s skills and experience, they may also assist with other natural resources projects on Maui or other islands throughout Hawaiʻi, as needed.

The Assistant Staff Environmental Scientist should have the technical aptitude to quickly learn and perform a range of project-related tasks. These include deploying and maintaining wildlife monitoring equipment, managing data, completing field logs, drafting brief reports, and coordinating with the project manager and team regarding project progress.

This position is primarily field-based and may involve working independently or in small teams. It requires a strong level of physical fitness, the ability to hike over varied terrain with a backpack, work in a range of weather conditions, and safely operate four-wheel-drive vehicles.

This is a temporary, hourly position that can be performed remotely from anywhere on Maui. Compensation will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. The position will report to a Maui-based Project Manager.

For this position, depending on the project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a biological survey crew in the field. 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;
• Receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and
• Monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline.

Final date to receive applications:
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
• Assist the project manager with the field deployment, maintenance, and retrieval of wildlife monitoring equipment throughout Maui and Lanaʻi.
• Support general natural resources tasks, including general biological surveys and report preparation.
• Accurately document deployment metadata, GPS coordinates, habitat conditions, and field observations using data sheets and digital data collection tools.
• Collect, label, and manage data storage cards and associated data following established chain-of-custody and QA/QC procedures.
• Maintain equipment inventory, conduct routine maintenance, and report damage, loss, or malfunctions.
• Support related biological projects on Maui or other islands on an as-needed basis.
• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
• Depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a biological survey crew in the field.
Experience and qualifications for success

Required:
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced work environment, and a desire to work in a…