Level Biologist - Natural Resources; On Call

About the opportunity

SWCA is expanding our natural resources team and seeking on‑call Assistant/Staff Biologist candidates for upcoming environmental projects involving a range of office and field duties. Candidates located in California's Central Coast area are encouraged to apply to support the volume of infrastructure projects in those areas. Work hours may vary seasonally and depending on project needs and your skills. On‑call staff are requested for work as it becomes available and are free to accept or refuse the work based on their schedule.

As our Natural Resources team grows, additional opportunities for advancement and/or transition to a regular, full‑time position will be available.

It is anticipated that travel, including overnight stays, may be required for this position. This position may at times also require long or abnormal work hours (early start times, night shifts, etc.).
Experience throughout the state is not required as multiple on‑calls will be hired to cover a wide range of geographies including Southern California, San Joaquin Valley, and San Francisco Bay. Fieldwork will mostly include travel throughout the Central Coast. However, opportunities to travel throughout California and continental United States (e.g., Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) may be available.

The candidate could fill one of our Staff Level roles based on skill and years of relevant experience:

• Assistant Staff Biologists:
  Typically up to 1 year of experience and expertise
• Staff Biologists:
  Typically up to 2 years of experience and expertise

This position is temporary, hourly. Pay will be competitive, based on individual qualifications and experience.

For assistant staff and staff biologist positions, depending upon project, an element of your job may be to independently supervise a biological survey crew in the field. 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
• Monitoring team productivity and providing timely performance feedback, including deciding when disciplinary action is necessary and delivering discipline

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct environmental inspections, wildlife and vegetation baseline studies (including protocol surveys), nesting bird surveys, wetland assessments, and general habitat assessments
• Collect field data, record and identify fauna and flora
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, ArcGIS Field Maps, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms
• Photograph and take detailed notes of habitats, species, and landforms. Operate SWCA vehicles safely, including operation of 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles on rugged, back-country roads
• Follow industry‑leading safety check‑in and reporting procedures
• Communicate effectively with SWCA project managers, construction crews, and other environmental specialists to complete the field work and reporting requirements
• Understand project environmental requirements and the applicable laws and regulations protecting biological resources
• Complete desktop analyses, web‑based database queries, prepare technical reports describing the methods, results, recommendations, and regulatory background for projects
• Work independently and as part of a diverse team
• Adhere to the safety program and look out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field
• One (1) year of field…