Wetland Scientist

SWCA, Incorporated is hiring a Staff Wetland Scientist for their Fort Collins, CO office. The role involves conducting natural resource field studies and requires a background in biology or related fields. It includes a mix of field and office work, with moderate travel expected. The position supports a hybrid work approach, allowing for flexible schedules and remote work options for office tasks. This is a full-time position with benefits.
About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff Wetland Scientist (HR Title = Staff Environmental Scientist) to be based out of our Denver (Broomfield), CO or Ft. Collins, CO office. The selected candidate will support projects throughout the Rocky Mountain Front Range, especially in Colorado and Wyoming. The Staff Wetland Scientist position requires an educational and experienced background in biology, natural resource management, botany, water resources, or a related field.

This position will be a mix of field and office work, depending on project type and season.

This position requires fieldwork where the climate, weather, and terrain can be demanding. It is anticipated that moderate travel, including overnight stays, may be required. Field work will be primarily in Colorado. Other office tasks will require working on a computer for extended periods. For office tasks, we offer a hybrid approach and support a flexible schedule and working from home.

This is a regular (with benefits), hourly, full-time position.

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 applicant.
What you will accomplish

Conduct a variety of natural resources field studies including wetland delineations, wetland and water functional assessments, vegetation and habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and avian/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.

Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

As a Staff Wetland Scientist, part of your job responsibilities will include supervising 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.
• 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.
Experience and qualifications for success

Required
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Water Resources, Botany, Environmental Science, Fish and Wildlife Science, Natural Resource Management, related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Candidates will have at least two (2) years of natural resources experience in the public or private sector, including experience leading or conducting natural resources field work focused on natural resources assessments; preferred experience in wetland delineations.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability safely drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads.

Preferred
• Desire to provide excellent client service in a fast-paced work environment.
• Knowledge of wetland and other aquatic botanical species taxonomy within the Great Plains and ability to identify species in the field.
• Understanding of permitting and mitigation requirements for Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404
• Experience with aquatic resource delineations and their functions and values.
• Experience with reporting and fieldwork for wetland delineations, aquatic resource functional assessments, environmental compliance, wildlife surveys, and/or avian surveys strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting desktop research for preliminary wetlands evaluations and compiling field data into aquatic resource inventory reports strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with GPS devices and digital data collection, and/or mapping software such as ArcGIS preferred.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and high attention to detail.
• Be a highly-organized self-starter, with a strong entrepreneurial initiative.
• The ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and…