Natural Resources Technician

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.

• Ensures that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, and other resources are ready for fieldwork.
• Conduct environmental inspections, wildlife and vegetation baseline studies (including protocol surveys), nesting bird surveys, wetland assessments, bioassessments, and general habitat assessments.
• Collect field data, record and identify fauna and flora.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, 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.
• Maintains SWCA’s high standard of scientific ethics and quality assurance; is motivated to identify and resolve problems in creative ways.
• Complete desktop analyses, web-based database queries, prepare technical reports describing the methods, results, recommendations, and regulatory background for projects.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team is critical.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field required.
• Knowledge of common and special status state and federal listed California fauna and flora.
• Prior experience with GIS software, GPS units/tablets and ability to use technology for data collection.
• Ability to travel to a location, walk and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, often at high altitudes, and ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds is required.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Report or other writing experience.

• 1-2 field seasons of experience completing biological surveys, fieldwork, habitat assessments, wetland delineations, and/or construction monitoring.
• Experience conducting flora and/or fauna surveys in Southern California.
• Botanical and wetland delineation experience.
• Ornithologists with bird identification and nest searching experience; rail, raptor and other birds of prey experience a plus.