Lead Water Resources Scientist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding and looking for dynamic individuals to support the growing Water Resources ("Water") technical team. The SWCA New Mexico-Four Corners subregion is seeking a lead-level technical staff member who is motivated to work in a team environment, serve as a technical expert locally (in New Mexico and Southwest Colorado) and nationally (throughout SWCA), manage challenging projects, pursue business development opportunities, and use their expertise to pursue a rewarding professional consulting career.

As a Lead Water Resources Scientist and project manager, you will act as a technical expert and support and manage projects locally and throughout SWCA. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to identify and evaluate opportunities in the market, and will pursue, capture, manage, and execute water resources permitting projects. The position also includes opportunities for staff management, including staff development, supervision, and training. We are seeking applications from multi-disciplinary water resources specialists that are eager to participate in our watershed management approach to creative project solutions across various water resources disciplines.

This is a regular (with benefits), salaried, full-time position. Hybrid work environments for those based in Albuquerque, NM or Durango, CO are encouraged. Highly qualified remote employees will be seriously considered.

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.

• Lead and support multidisciplinary scope of work/proposal development in collaboration with the NM4C Team, including Subject Matter Experts.
• Partner with client managers and other project managers in contract management for watershed management and permitting actions, including CWA Sections 401, 402 (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; stormwater) and 404, and Floodplain Management (Executive Order 11988).
• Manage and lead permitting projects, especially projects related to watershed science, working with a team of natural and cultural resources specialists to fulfill a variety of environmental planning, and permitting needs for different projects. Responsible for budget and scope tracking.
• Perform technical deliverable review of aquatic resources reports and permit documents.
• Lead and support agency and client coordination regarding permit programs and building trusted relationships.
• Lead or support projects across a variety of projects including renewable energy generation, transmission, and other project activities in New Mexico and the southwest.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance to SWCA project managers and water resources leads on projects involving surface water resources planning, and permitting activities in coordination with the NM4C Water Resources Team Lead and Directors.
• Mentor, coach and potentially supervise water resources staff across the NM4C subregion in collaboration with the team.

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Water Resources, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the water resources field, in addition to university or graduate work.
• Proven experience solving technical problems by utilizing professional judgment, creativity, science, research, and innovation.
• Demonstrated experience participating in and collaborating within a project team setting while engaging in independent creative and critical thinking.

PREFERRED

Please note that an absence of one or more of these skills is not critical as long as you demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills.

• Previous experience in environmental consulting.
• Previous experience with water quality, hydrology, and/or water resources related to wetland delineations.
• Project management, client management, and/or business developoment experience.
• Graduate degree in in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Water Resource Management, or a related graduate degree.
• Experience with water quality management.
• Experience working with and/or for government agencies such as the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, New Mexico Surface Water Quality Bureau, Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado Water Quality Control Division , Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corp of Engineers, and/or other municipal water agencies and managers.
• Technical experience with stormwater inspections and management as a registered stormwater inspector (RSI) with a widely recognized certification (CISEC, CESSWI, or other).
• National Environmental Policy Act experience for watershed science.

SWCA is a 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 are seeking an opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions, then SWCA will be a great fit for you!

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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.

An employee in this New Mexico-Four Corner's-based position can expect a salary of $86,154/year to $109,960/year. 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.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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 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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