Avian Natural Resources Technician

Are you interested in environmental consulting services? Do you enjoy working outside and thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellent data collection, team collaboration, and services provided to clients? Are you looking for an opportunity to start and grow your environmental consulting career? SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) is seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to join our team as an Avian Field Technician (HR Title = Natural Resources Technician).

The Avian Field Technician will be a temporary, non-exempt, hourly, and field-based role. This person will primarily work on remote project site locations across the Midwest, based primarily out of Central, IL. 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 that can be demanding. This position will be a regular full-time or Temporary field-based position. The position may involve an irregular schedule and extended hours. It is anticipated that nearly 100% travel, including overnight stays, will be required. Hotel rooms, a field truck, per diem, and other supplies will be provided during field work deployments.

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 avian field studies primarily on preconstruction wind development projects. There will be the occasional opportunity to assist with other vegetation and wildlife habitat surveys, threatened/endangered species assessments, and other field-based efforts.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, survey points, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Conduct fieldwork and operate 4WD and off-road vehicles in all terrain and weather conditions.
• Record data on field site forms or in digital iPADs, organize and transfer field data, and help support project management team.
• Conduct bi-weekly checks on acoustic bat detectors, collecting and managing acoustic data.

• Minimum of B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field preferred but not required. Coursework in zoology, field ecology, and/or ornithology strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with wildlife and/or avian field-based surveys preferred.
• Knowledge of Midwestern raptors, eagles, and other avian species strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of avian survey techniques preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of six (6) months of employment or volunteer-based experience conducting field work or related outdoor work, strongly preferred.
• Ability to record accurate field notes and communicate effectively with field leads and the project management team required.
• Ability to identify avian species visually and auditorily preferred.
• Ability to use or learn digital iPAD for GPS navigation and recording of field data required.
• Ability to drive or learn to drive ATVs, UTVS, and other off-road vehicles and haul trailers required.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather conditions, walk up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain, and carry equipment and/or supplies, weighing up to 40 pounds required.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle on backcountry roads required.
• Ability to travel to project site 100% of the time

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Must have ability and willingness to learn new survey and monitoring techniques and protocols.
• Must have ability to take initiative, resolve problems, and create improved procedures to assure tasks are completed in the most effective manner.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn company operational and safety procedures required.
• Ability to work as member of a team and individually to make decisions and complete tasks in the most effective manner required.

Why Work at SWCA:

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 would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All 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 Avian NR Technician in this Central, IL-based position can expect a rate of $20.20/hour to $26.75/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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