Lead Environmental Scientist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead Environmental Scientist to join our Natural Resources program in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this role, you will support biological studies, natural resource management, environmental permitting, and regulatory compliance (Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, etc.) projects across a diverse portfolio that includes transmission, mining, renewable energy, oil and gas, and ecological restoration initiatives.

As a senior technical leader, you will serve as a subject matter expert, manage large and complex projects, provide quality oversight and review for project deliverables, support key client relationships, proposals, and business development, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance project opportunities throughout the region.

Depending on project needs, this position may require travel within the region to support fieldwork, client engagement, regulatory coordination, and project oversight. You will work closely with clients, regulatory agencies, leadership, and technical staff to guide project direction, ensure technical excellence, and support successful project delivery. This role offers the opportunity to mentor staff, lead natural resources management and regulatory compliance efforts, and play a key role in advancing projects and client success.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, salaried/exempt opportunity based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. This position is hybrid-eligible for candidates residing within Salt Lake City, Utah, or distributed (= remote) for applicants based in Utah.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates areidentified.Thisposition may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool isestablished.

• Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.
• Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCAs values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.
• Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
• Publishes and Presents Findings:Leads the preparation and presentation of scientific and regulatory findings, contributing to the body of knowledge and enhancing SWCA's reputation in the field.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelors degree. Six years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Eight years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

• Bachelors degree in Biology, Wetland Science, Plant/Soil Science, Ecology or other related environmental science.
• Six (6) years of experience working in a private sector (i.e., consulting) or regulatory agency setting leading and overseeing the completion of natural resources fieldwork, technical reports, impact assessments, and environmental assessments.
• Experience managing complex natural resources projects, permitting and regulatory compliance projects, environmental consulting, or ecological studies including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, scopes of work from feasibility assessments to final report/permit preparation.
• Demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), US Forest Service (USFS), and/or, Utah Trust Lands Administration (TLA), and other state/local agencies in the Great Basin Sub-Region.
• Experience with flora and fauna of Utah and the Intermountain West.
• Ability to travel as needed for client and agency meetings.
• Ability to collaborate with junior level to experienced environmental professionals.
• Experience with client management and business development for natural resources services within the region.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Wetland Science, Biology, Plant/Soil Science, Ecology or other environmental science related fields.
• Eight (8) years of experience working in a private sector (i.e., consulting) or regulatory agency setting leading and overseeing the completion of natural resources fieldwork, technical reports, biological assessments, impact assessments, and environmental assessments.
• Current or prior Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist by the Society of Wetland Scientists or PMP certification.

When drug testing is required

Applicants must be willing to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, when required by project or client requirements.

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid drivers license and meet SWCAs driver requirements.

When traveling is required

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Safety Expectations

Staff level:Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.

Project level: Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

 Lead level:Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Director Level: Serve as an ambassador for SWCAs Safety Culture and implementation

Work Environment

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25 60 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Salt Lake City, UT-based position is $81,120.00 to $105,996.80 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.