Assistant Staff Biologist - Shorebird Monitor

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Assistant Staff Biologist-Shorebird Monitor to support the Amherst, MA office for a project in the New York City area.

This is an hourly, non-exempt, temporary position from March 1 through November 30, 2025, with the possibility for extension. The expected work schedule is 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday.

What You Will Accomplish

• Coordinating with construction crews
• Monitoring breeding bird locations
• Constructing and maintaining symbolic fencing
• Coordinating with project partners
• Completes individual tasks of medium complexity or duration with oversight
• Works independently on standard tasks, under the direction of a PM
• Coordinates land access, field crew progress, and data transfer and management
• Executes data collection in the field through self and others
• Performs a broad range of tasks related to a variety of wildlife, plant, upland, and aquatic resources
• Completes field data QA/QC
• Performs basic data synthesis and analysis
• Writes deliverable sections under direction
• Applies broad knowledge of regulations or guidelines to job
• 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.
  
  

Experience And Qualifications For Success

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in biology, ecology, conservation, or related field.
• Prior shorebird monitoring experience and ability to be approved as a shorebird monitor by state and federal agencies.
• Ability and confidence to work independently and effectively communicate with contractors, regulators, and the public
• Ability to be approved as a qualified shorebird monitor by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 field seasons of shorebird monitoring experience
• Experience with piping plover and red knot birds, and other state or federally protected shorebirds in New York.
  
  

Additional Information

• Ability to work closely with other biologists, have full hearing and color vision
• Current eligibility to work in the U.S.
• A valid driver’s license
  
  

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. 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.

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.

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.

An employee in this Amherst, MA position can expect an hourly pay rate of $21.32 to $27.56/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

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.

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.

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