About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Associate Project Restoration Engineer with a passion for ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering. This role will focus on advancing our ecological restoration practice in North Carolina and the Southeast, while also supporting projects across the U.S. Reporting into SWCA's Charlotte, North Carolina, this position offers flexibility to work hybrid within the Charlotte Metro area, or be fully remote (distributed) within the SW USA. The ideal candidate will have experience in stream, wetland, and coastal/living shoreline design, with strong skills in applied hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology, as well as proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling.Responsibilities will include occasional travel to project sites for field assessments, data collection, and client meetings. This is a full-time, regular (with full benefits), salaried, exempt position.

Individuals with an EIT and are working toward a PE license are also highly encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

What you will accomplish

• Leads management activities by overseeing technical tasks, schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful completion of assigned projects. Manages various aspects of project execution, including client communication, team coordination, and quality assurance. Responsible for preparation of design reports and plans that make up elements of design deliverable packages.
• Develops engineering designs for assigned projects, including stream and wetland restoration, living shorelines, and nature-based infrastructure. Applies advanced technical expertise to refine designs and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Conducts field investigations and detailed analyses for assigned restoration projects, ensuring designs minimize environmental impacts while meeting project requirements. Provides technical guidance to optimize solutions.
• Prepares comprehensive construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents to guide project implementation. Ensures all documentation adheres to industry and regulatory standards. Supports quality assurance reviews for analyses and deliverables.
• Oversees permitting processes by preparing regulatory documentation for reviews and approvals. Collaborates with agencies to address compliance requirements.
• Performs modeling and calculations to support design optimization and assess environmental impacts. Uses modeling tools to simulate project conditions and optimize solutions.
• Coordinates with multidisciplinary teams to integrate environmental science and engineering principles into project designs. Facilitates collaboration among scientists, planners, and engineers to achieve project objectives.
• Provides construction-phase services by monitoring progress, ensuring adherence to specifications, and addressing on-site challenges. Communicates with contractors to resolve issues and maintain project quality.
• Engages with clients and stakeholders to communicate project goals, progress, and outcomes. Builds and maintains relationships to support business development and client satisfaction.
• Mentors junior staff by providing technical guidance, training, reviewing work products, and fostering professional growth. Encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration within the team.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop construction plans within AutoCAD Civil 3D. Typically restoration plans but occasional site civil support may be required.
• Perform hydraulic, hydrologic, and water quality assessments, modeling, and analysis in support of the above listed projects.
• Communicate and work with project managers to keep projects on schedule and on budget.
• Attend and participate in annual internal design training meetings to support personal-skills growth and career planning.
• Work independently and multi-task regularly in a fast-paced environment; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Minimum Qualifications

Four years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Six years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree and active Professional Engineer (PE) license required.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental, or Coastal Engineering)
• EI certification (Engineering Intern)
• Ability to travel on short-term overnight efforts to collect field data and meet with clients, up to 25% of the time.
• Experience with HEC-RAS and other hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software.
• Experience developing ecological restoration design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience managing primary tasks and small to medium sized projects with limited oversight.
• Experience mentoring and successfully delegating tasks to junior team members.
• Experience with urban stream restoration projects
• Experience with mitigation banking projects

Other Job Conditions

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.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Charlotte, NC based position is $82,347 to $105,716 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.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [redacted] or call [redacted]. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [redacted].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

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