Staff Biologist - Avian

SWCA Environmental Consultants is actively seeking to fill a Staff Biologist - Avian position. The role is a temporary, hourly position requiring flexible working hours, with a potential to become a fulltime permanent position. We are looking to hire and onboard on or before mid-March 2025.

Our Central Texas/Oklahoma subregion is seeking a Staff Biologist - Avian to support a variety of natural resources surveys, particularly avian surveys throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and the Gulf Coast region. Travel to neighboring states is required in support of our projects and other office's needs.

We anticipate this to be a primarily field-based position will work on average 40 hours per week, depending on client need and workload. This position requires 75% travel, including overnight and weekend stays as well as an irregular schedule. This position includes hiking, 4wd vehicle, and ATV use in all seasons, often in remote areas, where the climate, weather, and terrain that can be demanding. Pay rate will be based on qualifications and experience. Per diem and work vehicle will be provided.

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.

• Conduct avian surveys in accordance with federal and state protocols, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.
• Identify birds by sight and sound.
• Conduct wildlife habitat assessments.
• Data collection will be primarily ground-based but may also include aerial surveys.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and tablets for data collection and navigation.
• Enter and QA/QC data.
• Photograph and record appropriate habitat, species, and landforms
• Author or co-author reports, conduct literature searches, and reviews.
• Operate SWCA 4wd vehicles and ATVs; assure they will perform safely.
• Operate SWCA vehicles. Ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle, all-terrain vehicle/utility task vehicle (ATV/UTV) on rugged, backcountry roads
• Work both independently and as a member of a team
• Take initiative, resolve problems, and communicate with team members to ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• 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;
• receiving and resolving complaints from employees in the field; and
• Monitoring team productivity and offering timely performance guidance, including determining when correction action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback.

• Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Three (3) years' experience conducting avian surveys in accordance with federal and state regulations, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.
• Hold USFWS and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permits (or subpermittee) to conduct state and federally listed species protocol surveys.
• Currently holds a federal permit to survey for Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia).
• Ability to obtain federal permits for Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and other listed and candidate species
• Strong ability to correctly identify avian species visually and auditorily required with a focus on federally listed species, eagles, other raptors, and other avian species, particularly those occurring in Texas and neighboring states.
• Experience in related fieldwork including presence/absence surveys, special-status species surveys, population and nesting studies, habitat assessments, and plant identification.
• Ability to work as member of a team and individually to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to use digital tablets and GPS units for navigation and data collection; familiarity with ArcGIS and tablet data collection platforms (Collector, Survey123) preferred.
• Ability to follow complex protocols and record accurate field notes.
• Ability to research and prepare technical documents.
• Ability to drive a 4wd vehicle and ATV on rugged, back county roads.
• Ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to assure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn company procedures, and ability to try new, improved techniques.
• Ability to travel to a location, hike and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, often at high altitudes, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.
• Flexible working hours which require mobilization at short notice.
• Ability to travel to project sites 75% of the time
• Applicants must have valid driver's license and be able to meet SWCA's driver requirements.
• Applicant must be willing to participate in a drug testing and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, as some projects require such screenings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bat identification skills and use of bat acoustic detectors.
• Experience conducting avian point count surveys and post-construction bird and bat fatality monitoring.
• Small mammal and/or herpetofauna experience.
• Vegetation sampling and habitat assessment experience.
• Wetland delineation and permitting experience.

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 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, a Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

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.

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 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.

A Staff Biologist - Avian position in this Texas, TX-based position can expect an hourly rate of: $25.12/hr. - $32.76/hr. 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.

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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