Staff Biologist- Natural Resources (Temporary)

About the Role

Key responsibilities include conducting preliminary research, preparing equipment, and performing environmental inspections, baseline wildlife and vegetation studies, nesting bird surveys, wetland assessments, and general habitat assessments. Field work requires collecting and identifying flora and fauna, using topographic maps, aerial photos, GPS units, and other tools to pinpoint project areas, photographing habitats, operating 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles safely, and following industry‑leading safety check‑in and reporting procedures. • Conduct preliminary research and prepare equipment for field assignments. • Perform environmental inspections, baseline wildlife and vegetation surveys, nesting bird surveys, and wetland assessments. • Collect, record, and identify plant and animal data in the field. • Utilize topographic maps, aerial imagery, GPS, and GIS tools to locate project sites and habitats. • Photograph habitats and species, and maintain detailed field notes. • Safely operate 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles on rugged terrain. • Follow safety check‑in procedures and report protocols. • Communicate findings and coordinate with project managers, construction crews, and environmental specialists. • Interpret and apply relevant environmental laws and regulations. • Produce desktop analyses, database queries, and technical reports with methods, results, and recommendations. • Supervise and assign tasks to biological survey crew members, monitor performance, and provide feedback. • Resolve field‑team complaints and communicate issues to senior management. • Travel throughout Southern California, including overnight stays, to conduct fieldwork. • Apply GIS, GPS, and mobile data‑collection software for field data acquisition. • Maintain high scientific ethics and quality‑assurance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸field research
• ▸habitat surveys
• ▸gis mapping
• ▸data collection
• ▸report writing
• ▸team supervision

What You Bring

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding its natural resources team and seeking a temporary Staff Biologist to support a variety of environmental projects across Southern California. The role offers the chance to apply practical knowledge of southern California biological resources, habitats, and relevant regulations on projects such as transmission, renewables, and land development. The position involves both office and field duties, with work hours varying seasonally based on project needs and individual skills. Staff Biologists will use tools like ArcGIS Online, Survey123, CNDDB, the FWS Critical Habitat Mapper, and Google Earth for desktop research and field data collection, and will gain experience with threatened, endangered, and special‑status plants, wildlife, and jurisdictional waters and wetlands. The ideal candidate is an energetic, proactive problem‑solver who can work independently and within a fast‑paced, cross‑functional team. Travel throughout Southern California, including overnight stays, is expected, and candidates must have recent experience conducting nesting bird surveys or construction monitoring. Depending on the project, the role may also involve supervising a biological survey crew, assigning tasks, communicating issues to senior managers, and providing performance feedback. Staff Biologists must understand project environmental requirements, applicable laws, and regulations protecting biological resources, maintain SWCA’s high scientific ethics and quality assurance, and produce desktop analyses, database queries, and technical reports summarizing methods, results, recommendations, and regulatory background. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively with project managers, construction crews, and other environmental specialists is critical. Applicants should hold at least a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field, and possess knowledge of California state and federal listed fauna and flora. Required skills include GIS and GPS proficiency, strong communication and organizational abilities, familiarity with Microsoft Office, report writing experience, and the capacity to conduct lengthy fieldwork in diverse terrain and weather conditions. • Demonstrate knowledge of California’s special‑status flora and fauna. • Work independently and collaboratively within a fast‑paced, cross‑functional team.

Requirements

• ▸arcgis
• ▸gps
• ▸survey123
• ▸bachelor's
• ▸fieldwork
• ▸communication

Benefits

SWCA is an employee‑owned firm with offices nationwide, offering a competitive hourly wage of $26.91–$35.10, wellness paid time off, employee assistance and wellness programs, and robust career development resources. The company is committed to salary equity, diversity, inclusion, and provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply, and the firm values veterans, women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

Work Environment

Field