Lead Level Biologist - Desert Tortoise

careers-swca; Las Vegas (NV); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

401(k) with profit sharing

Medical, dental, and vision

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Professional development

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead-Level Biologist - Tortoise for our Natural Resources team in Las Vegas, NV. Hybrid work with potential travel up to 15% within Nevada, mentoring staff and leading technical work on diverse projects.

Applicants typically have 6+ years of experience; higher levels require more expertise. The pay range reflects seniority with strong benefits and 100% employee ownership. This role emphasizes client engagement and regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field.
• Six (6) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others; eight years preferred.
• Experience on compliance projects in Southern Nevada or California.
• Ability to work up to 10 hours in the desert field.
• Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist designation or pursuing one.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex projects, directing technical approaches and QA/QC.
• Mentor staff and lead cross-disciplinary teams.
• Develop innovative methods and standards for client projects.
• Oversee field surveys and data collection for tortoise and other species.
• Prepare and review biological survey reports and permitting support.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance across projects.

Skills

Biology

Fieldwork

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Lead-Level Biologist - Tortoise to join our Natural Resources team in Las Vegas, NV. In this role, you will support various projects across renewable energy, transmission, infrastructure, restoration, local agency, etc., sectors.

This requisition can be hired at three levels:

• Lead Biologist -- Typically with at least six (6) years of relevant industry experience and expertise; eight (8) years preferred.
• Senior Biologist -- Typically with at least eight (8) years of relevant industry experience and expertise; ten (10) years preferred
• Principal Biologist - Typically with at least ten (10) years of relevant industry experience and expertise; twelve (12) years preferred

This is a hybrid opportunity based out of Las Vegas, NV. Priority will be given to applicants in Nevada or the desert Southwest. Depending on project needs and geographic location of the applicant, this position may require up to 15% travel within Nevada to support fieldwork, client engagement, and regional coordination. You will work closely with clients, leadership, and multidisciplinary teams to guide project direction, ensure technical quality, and support successful delivery. This role offers the opportunity to mentor staff, lead technical work, and play a key role in advancing projects and client success.

This is a regular (with benefits), salaried, exempt position. Hybrid work environments are encouraged. Highly qualified individuals from remote (=distributed) locations in Nevada or the Desert SW are encouraged to apply.

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.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• 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 SWCA’s 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.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead or conduct biological natural resource field surveys collecting observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, terrestrial and/or avian species. Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Lead, complete, and provide quality control for biological survey reports, data entry, impact assessments, and assist in Endangered Species Act, wetland delineations and/or Clean Water Act permitting. Conduct research as appropriate and assist with proposal and budget development.
• Adhere to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
• Oversee or use radio-telemetry to track Mojave desert tortoise, sometimes in rugged terrain.
• Assist in overseeing compliance projects including ensuring accurate staffing and compliance with necessary project‑specific permits.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's 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.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field.
• Six (6) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
• Previous experience working on compliance projects in Southern Nevada or California.
• Ability to work up to 10 hours in the field in a desert environment.
• Previous experience working towards approval as an Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist, including a mix of surveying and monitoring.

Preferred qualifications:

• Twelve (12) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others.
• Previous U.S. Fish and Wildlife approval as an Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist.
• Previous experience managing compliance or similarly complex projects in Southern Nevada or California.
• Previous experience with technical writing including study plans, translocation plans, Biological Assessments, etc.
• Significant handling experience with desert tortoise or other chelonians, and an interest in becoming an approved health assessor

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Las Vegas, NV-based position is

• Lead Biologist - $81,112.00 - $105,996.80 per year
• Senior Biologist - $93,017.60 to $$121,139.20 per year
• Principal Biologist - $105,996.80 to $138,440.80 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.

Closing

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

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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