Lead Level Biologist - Desert Tortoise

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Las Vegas (NV); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants in Las Vegas, NV seeks a Lead-Level Biologist - Tortoise to guide field programs across renewable energy, transmission, and restoration projects. You will mentor staff, lead technical work, and ensure regulatory compliance while coordinating with clients and cross-disciplinary teams.

This hybrid role offers opportunities to advance study plans, regulatory submissions, and project outcomes within the Desert Southwest, with travel as needed.

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.
• Previous experience working on compliance projects in Southern Nevada or California.
• Ability to work up to 10 hours in the desert field.
• Experience with Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist designation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Project Leadership: lead complex projects and oversee technical approach.
• Exemplary Leadership: mentor staff and coordinate with clients and teams.
• Technical Expertise & Innovation: develop new standards and practices.
• Project Accountability: manage milestones, risks, scopes, and budgets.
• Business Growth & Innovation: drive client success and strategic planning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: work with specialists across disciplines.
• Mentorship & Team Development: train and develop staff.
• Relationship Management: build client and regulator relationships.
• Publishes and Presents Findings: communicate study results.
• Follows applicable regulations and standards.

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 are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

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.

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