About the opportunitySWCA Environmental Consultants' is actively seeking to fill a
Project Level Biologist - Avian position for our Austin, TX office. The role is a temporary position subject to variable working hours based on project needs.
Our Southern Texas region is seeking a Project Level Biologist - Avian to support a variety of natural resources surveys, particularly avian surveys. Travel is required in support of our projects and other offices' needs.
We anticipate this person will work on average 40 hours per week, depending on client need and workload. Pay rate will be based on qualifications and experience. This position includes hiking, 4wd vehicle use, and ATV use in all seasons and conditions. Per diem and work vehicle will be provided.
Under this job requisition, we may hire the following job position:
- Assistant Project Biologist - Typically with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise.
- Associate Project Biologist - Typically with up to five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise.
- Project Biologist - Typically with up to seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.
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.
What you will accomplish- Conduct avian surveys in accordance with federal and state guidelines, including the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection 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.
- Author or co-author reports, conduct literature searches and reviews.
- Operate SWCA 4wd vehicles and ATVs; assure they will perform safely.
- Take responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.
Experience and qualifications for successRequired 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 guidelines, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.
- Strong identification skills (by sound and sight) of shorebirds, 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.
- 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 and over rugged terrain, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.
- Flexible working hours which may require mobilization at short notice.
- Current valid driver's license required.
- 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
:- Seven (7) years' experience conducting avian surveys in accordance with federal wind energy guidelines, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Endangered Species Act.
- Experience conducting avian point count surveys and post-construction bird and bat fatality monitoring.
- Hold or previously held U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permits (or subpermittee) to conduct state and federally listed species protocol surveys.
- Bat identification skills and use of bat acoustic detectors.
- Candidates in/around South Texas areas such as Corpus Christi, South Padre Island, or McAllen.
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
Austin, TX-based position can expect a compensation rate of:
- Assistant Project Biologist- $27.56/hr. - $35.96/hr
- Associate Project Biologist- $31.50/hr.- $40.43/hr.
- Project Biologist- $72,072.00 - $92,820.00 annually
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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