Assistant Staff Restoration Ecologist at SWCA… · Las Vegas

Summary: SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. The Assistant Staff Restoration Ecologist will conduct botanical and biological surveys in rural areas and on construction sites, ensuring high-quality project work and safety compliance. Responsibilities: - Conduct botanical and other biological surveys - 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 surveys - Conduct other biological field studies as needed - Observe and oversee effective treatment of soil and botanical resources on construction sites through site preparation, active construction, and post-construction restoration - Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms - Photograph 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 - Coordinate and communicate with project managers, environmental inspectors, construction staff and other SWCA staff as necessary - Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards - Operate SWCA vehicles - 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 - Adhere 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; and Monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline Required Qualifications: - Educational and experienced background in botany, biology, ecology, or a related field - Up to 1 year of ecological restoration experience - Ability to identify or key plant species of Nevada - Ability to record detailed field notes - Ability to use digital tablet for GPS navigation and recording of field data required - Ability 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 required - Valid driver's license and the ability to drive or learn to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required - Ability to travel to often remote project sites - Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail - Ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols - Ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and ensure tasks are completed in the most effective manner - Ability to work as member of a team and individually to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner Preferred Qualifications: - 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 preferred - Typically, up to 1 year of field-based survey experience preferred Required Skills: Botany, Ecology, Field surveys Important Skills: GPS navigation Nice-to-Have Skills: Communication skills, Attention to detail, Problem-solving, Teamwork Benefits: Hotel rooms, a field truck, per diem, and other supplies will be provided during field work deployments., SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees., SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff.