Natural Resources Technician - Avian (Temporary)

Our Flagstaff, Arizona office is seeking up to two Avian Field Technicians (HR Title = Natural Resources Technician) to support a variety of natural resources surveys, particularly avian surveys. The Avian Field Technicians will be temporary, non-exempt, hourly, and field-based roles. Successful applicants will primarily work on remote project site locations across Arizona. We are looking for someone who is following their passion, gaining valuable field experience, and dedicated to delivering the highest-quality project work.

The Avian Field Technician position requires some educational or experienced background in biology, natural resource management, ornithology, ecology, or a related field. This primarily field-based position takes place in an outdoor environment, often remote, where the climate, weather and terrain can be demanding. Hiking, 4wd vehicle use, and ATV use in all seasons and conditions will be required. The position may involve an irregular schedule and variable or extended hours, depending on workload. Travel, including overnight stays, will be required. Hotel rooms, a field truck, per diem, and other supplies will be provided during field work deployments. Travel to neighboring states is possible.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

• Conduct nest-clearance surveys in accordance with Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Conduct burrowing owl surveys in accordance with Arizona Game and Fish Department protocol.
• Conduct post-construction avian and bat fatality monitoring.
• Assist with other vegetation and wildlife habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and other field-based efforts when the occasional opportunity arises.
• Use tablets equipped with topographic maps and aerial photographs for data collection and navigation.
• Travel to field sites using hiking, 4wd vehicles, and off-road vehicles to conduct fieldwork in all weather and terrain conditions. Conduct basic safety checks on any vehicle used for travel.
• Record data in digital tablets, organize and transfer field data, assist with data QA/QC, and help support project management team.

• High school diploma.
• Coursework in higher-education in Natural Resources or a related field.
• Experience in bird identification.
• Previous experience in conducting fieldwork (e.g., point counts, presence/absence surveys, special-status species surveys, population and nesting studies, habitat assessments, or plant identification) or related outdoor work.
• Ability to work both as member of a team and independently to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner required.
• Ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques, protocols, and company procedures required.
• Ability and willingness to learn to use digital tablets and GPS units for navigation and data collection required.
• Ability to travel to a location, conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather conditions, walk up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain and often at high altitudes, and carry equipment and/or supplies, weighing up to 40 pounds required.
• Ability to drive or learn to drive ATVs, UTVS, and other off-road vehicles and haul trailers required.
• Travel to project sites away from Flagstaff with overnight stays near the project site for several days at a time required.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.

Preferred qualifications

• Strong identification (by sound and sight) skills of avian species that occur in the Southwest, particularly eagles and other raptors, strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of avian survey techniques preferred.
• Experience conducting post-construction bird and bat fatality monitoring preferred.
• Experience identifying plants in Arizona preferred.
• Previous experience collecting field data with tablets (e.g., Field Maps, Survey123) preferred.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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.

A Natural Resources Technician position in this Flagstaff, AZ-based position can expect a rate of $19.31/hour to $25.49/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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