Project Botanist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Botanist to join our Natural Resources Program in Half Moon Bay, California. In this role, you will support a variety of natural resources projects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, with a focus on botanical resources, waters permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory support.

You will contribute to project delivery across infrastructure, restoration, utility, transportation, renewable energy, and land development projects by conducting botanical assessments, supporting permitting efforts, preparing technical documentation, and assisting with environmental compliance requirements. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help clients navigate regulatory processes while supporting successful project outcomes

The successful candidate will have experience conducting botanical field studies, preparing technical reports, supporting permitting and environmental documentation, and collaborating with project managers and technical specialists. This position offers the opportunity to further develop botanical and permitting expertise while contributing to complex and impactful projects throughout the region.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), salaried/exempt position based out of our Half Moon Bay, California office, with hybrid work arrangements available. You will work closely with project managers, botanists, biological resources specialists, permitting professionals, and Natural Resources leadership to support project execution and client success throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and broader Northern California region.

Qualified candidates must submit a Letter of Interest along with a current resume to be considered for the position .

Application Deadline : Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified.

What you will accomplish

- Directs and participates in the collection, management, and summarization of field data and other best available information. Expected to ensure that information collected and applied to projects is accurate, complete, and verifiable.

- Directs and performs simple descriptive data analysis and collaborates with GIS and Statistical teams on more complex tasks to analyze significance, identify trends, and make predictions applicable to project questions. Directs and performs monitoring or management actions in the field to implement project requirements or regulatory terms and conditions. Creates and maintains records of completed activities and conditions for the project record.

- Directs and prepares certain technical resource reports and sections of others, including setting, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions. Collaborates with Technical Editors to ensure quality of written deliverables.

- Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff on resource science, methods and practices, regulatory requirements, and project or client insights.

- Develops strategies for avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating project impacts and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Prepares planning and compliance documents for regulatory reviews and approval.

- Leads conversations with teaming partners, experts, clients, landowners, and agency staff to present or solicit technical information. Memorializes communications for project records and shares important insights, action items, or issues with project teams and supervisors.

- Prepares and provides resource or regulatory updates to clients.

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

- Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

- Partner with project managers and clients to plan, coordinate, and execute natural resource projects through successful completion.

- Support project requirements associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and related environmental permitting and planning processes.

- Review environmental documents prepared by other environmental specialists to ensure technical quality and consistency.

- Assist with proposal development, project budgeting, client outreach, and business development activities.

- Identify process improvements, proactively resolve project challenges, and implement solutions that support client objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

- Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

- Four years of relevant, progressively responsible experience.

- Seven years 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 Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.

- Four (4) years of professional experience conducting botanical surveys and related natural resource fieldwork.

- Experience conducting rare plant surveys and field identification using botanical keys and standard taxonomic methods.

- Coursework in Plant Taxonomy or equivalent academic training in plant identification and classification.

- Understanding of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and permitting requirements affecting natural resource projects.

- Experience supporting environmental permitting, compliance, restoration, or resource management projects in aquatic, wetland, riparian, coastal, or other waters-related environments.

- Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

- Demonstrated commitment to health and safety, including identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate safety procedures during field activities.

- Ability to carry field equipment weighing up to 40 pounds and conduct extended walking or hiking during field investigations.

- Ability to operate company vehicles safely and maintain a valid driver’s license meeting company driving requirements.

- Willingness to participate in pre-employment drug and alcohol screening when required by specific project.

Preferred Qualifications :

- Seven (7) years of related botanical, ecological, or natural resource consulting experience.

- Experience supporting environmental permitting and compliance projects involving waters, wetlands, streams, riparian habitats, habitat restoration, or aquatic resources.

- Experience preparing technical documentation to support federal, state, or local permitting and environmental review processes.

- Prior project planning, budgeting, scheduling, or task management experience.

- Experience working with federal, state, or local resource agencies involved in environmental permitting and natural resource management.

- Demonstrated ability to take on increasing project management and leadership responsibilities.

- Experience coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, clients, regulators, and stakeholders on environmental projects

Other Job Conditions

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.

Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential 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 Half Moon Bay, CA-based position is $85,662.72 to $110,323.20 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 [email protected].

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.

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