Natural Resources Technician

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding our team and looking for a Natural Resources Technician with a background in environmental planning, wildlife biology, botany, ecology, or environmental science to work from our Broomfield, Colorado office. This position would work on a variety of projects and field efforts throughout the Rocky Intermountain West.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, hourly and non-exempt position. Applicants should expect and be able to travel 75% or more, including overnight travel for (2) or more weeks at a time.

Application Deadline : Applications will be accepted through October 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM MDT.

What you will accomplish

- Assists with tasks to collect and/or manage data in the field, lab, or office. Technicians are expected to work efficiently to complete assigned tasks in a manner that ensures the data are accurate, complete, and verifiable. Assigned tasks have simple, narrow objectives that may be accomplished through implementation of standardized or routine actions.

- Communicates frequently and openly with team members and supervisors to ensure that task objectives and methods are clearly understood, task progress is shared, and questions or needs are promptly addressed. This includes initiating and/or responding to communication requests before, during, and after task implementation as part of a real-time, collaborative work effort.

- Follows directions, safety and quality protocols, and other established procedures to complete tasks successfully and with accountability.

- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

- Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

- Follow established scientific protocols to conduct wildlife, vegetation, and wetland field surveys, complete environmental inspections, wildlife and vegetation baseline studies, support environmental planning efforts, and reclamation monitoring.

- Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, species of interest, and associated landforms.

- Photograph and record appropriate habitat, species, and landforms.

- Operate SWCA vehicles, including 4-wheel drive trucks and All-terrain vehicles [ATVs], assure they will perform safely, and notify appropriate personnel if vehicles need maintenance.

- Ability to travel 75% or more of the time, including overnight travel for 2 or more weeks at a time, staying in hotels or short-term rental accommodations during field deployments, in some instances with short notice before deployment.

- Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.

- Collaborate with project managers, subject matter experts, and other technical staff to prepare resource inventory and impact reports.

- Assist with county, state, and federal permit application preparation.

- Prepare materials, attend meetings, and report on public outreach activities for a variety of project types

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through post-secondary education or training; bachelor's degree preferred. One year of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, or Natural Resource Management or similar field preferred.

- Experience with field-based scientific data collection and attention to detail.

- Ability to identify flora and fauna to species using dichotomous keys, field guides, and other applications, emphasis on avian identification and behavior.

- Familiarity with flora and fauna found within the Rocky Mountain Plains (Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas) and wetland experience a plus

Preferred Qualifications:

- Two (2) + months of related experience through an internship or similar program.

- Experience in an environmental consulting organization.

- Familiarity with flora and fauna found within the Rocky Mountain Plains (Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas) and wetland experience.

- Experience with field-based scientific data collection and attention to detail.

- Experience with accurate data collection procedures and data entry QA/QC.

- Ability to identify flora and fauna to species using dichotomous keys, field guides, and other applications, emphasis on avian identification and behavior.

Other Job Conditions

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.

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

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.

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

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 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.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Denver, CO - based position is $20.20 to $26.75 per hour . Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

This position offers flexibility, paid wellness time, and opportunities to build technical skills and gain experience across a variety of environmental projects. Learn more about our On-Demand Employee Benefits and Career Development Guide.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected] or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

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.