Associate Project Ecologist - Wetland Delineator

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant or Associate Project Ecologist to support our Natural Resources team in the Southeast, with a preference for candidates based in Mississippi or Georgia, and openness to Alabama and Tennessee. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in wetland delineations, permitting, and aquatic resource assessments across the southeastern United States.

This role involves a mix of fieldwork, regulatory coordination, and technical reporting to support ecological projects, with a focus on wetland delineations and Clean Water Act permitting.

This is a full-time position that offers a flexible work arrangement, including hybrid options. Occasional travel for fieldwork may be required across different ecoregions in the Southeast, including overnight stays.

This position is available at the following levels, depending on qualifications and experience:

• Assistant Project Ecologist – Typically requires a minimum of three years of relevant industry experience and expertise
• Associate Project Ecologist – Typically requires a minimum of five years of relevant industry experience and expertise

• Conduct wetland delineations using the USACE Regional Supplements.
• Perform stream assessments, OHWM determinations, and aquatic resource evaluations.
• Support and/or lead permitting efforts, including Section 404/401 processes. Conduct habitat assessments and ecological monitoring across diverse ecosystems.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies such as USACE, EPA, and state agencies.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data using GIS tools.
• Takeresponsibilityforteamsafety,developsafetyplans(when applicable),andanticipatepotentialsafetyhazards.
• Prepare delineation reports, permit applications, and technical documentation. Depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently 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 corrective action is needed and delivering appropriate feedback

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Soil Science, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in wetland delineations and environmental consulting.
• Experience applying USACE delineation methodology and regional supplements.
• Familiarity with Clean Water Act permitting processes.
• Strong knowledge of southeastern hydrology, soils, and vegetation.
• Proficiency with GIS tools (ArcGIS, Arc Pro).
• Ability to work in field conditions (wetlands, streams, remote areas).
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of delineation and permitting experience.
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or ability to obtain.
• Qualified Hydrologic Professional (QHP) certification.
• Experience leading Section 404/401 permitting efforts.
• Experience coordinating directly with USACE districts in MS, GA, AL, or TN.
• Strong technical writing and report preparation skills.

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.

An employee in this Southeast position can expect an hourly pay rate of $27.04 to $34.25/hour as an Assistant Project Ecologist or $62,665.20 to $80,875.60/year as an Associate Project Ecologist. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications,…