Project-Level Environmental Scientist

About the Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee‑owned company specializing in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, and regulatory compliance. SWCA’s Chicago, Illinois team is growing and seeks a Project‑Level Environmental Scientist
. This position offers a collaborative and supportive work environment with a diverse team of scientists working on a wide range of projects, and is based in Cincinnati, OH. The successful candidate will possess a broad range of skills including a well‑developed understanding of environmental permitting in the Midwest U.S. across multiple sectors including energy, utilities, and land development, strong technical field skills, and effective communication skills.

This is a full‑time, regular status position located in Cincinnati, OH, with hybrid work environments encouraged. This position will report into our Chicago, IL office.

Final date to receive applications: Application is due at 5:00 PM EDT on 6.27.2026.

Job titles under this requisition:

• Assistant Project Environmental Scientist – typically with at least 3 years of relevant industry experience and expertise
• Associate Project Environmental Scientist – typically with at least 5 years of relevant industry experience and expertise
• Project Environmental Scientist – typically with at least 7 years of relevant industry experience and expertise

• Develop project management and technical lead skills on a variety of environmental and water resource projects.
• Manage a variety of tasks, including projects related to wetland science and threatened/endangered species.
• Oversee and direct all aspects of environmental permitting related to Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 401, 402, and 404, as well as the U.S. Endangered Species Act and other state and local laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with a team of natural and cultural resources specialists to fulfill a variety of environmental planning and permitting needs for various projects.
• Be responsible for the multidisciplinary scope of work and budget development with the natural resources team, as well as tracking scopes and budgets during project execution.
• Direct agency and client coordination regarding wetland, rare species, stormwater, and compliance monitoring programs and build trusted relationships with the responsible agencies and stakeholders.
• Prepare resource inventory reports, environmental permitting support, and other documents.
• Organize, review, and transfer field data, and write technical reports and permit applications related to the CWA, floodplain management, and other state and local water resources regulations.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other SWCA scientists, including wetland specialists, ecologists, stormwater specialists, restoration specialists, hydrologists, floodplain specialists, wildlife specialists, etc., for quality assurance of scope of work and project approach development.
• Take responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Wetland Science, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology or another related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources.
• Demonstrated prior experience leading wetland delineations, rare species investigations, construction monitoring, and other similar tasks.
• Previous experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in the Midwest United States.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• At least one (1) year of natural resources (or related) project management experience, including developing and implementing budgets, scopes of work, and project schedules.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources.
• Experience working on linear projects, including natural gas clients.
• Experience working on renewable energy projects.
• Professional certifications including PWS, CWB, CERP, NHCWS, CESSWI, Registered (Professional) Soil Scientist, CE, or similar.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability and…