Project Level Restoration Ecologist

Swca Environmental Consultants; Michigan; On-site; USD 37,195 - 52,348; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Flexible workplace flexibility

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Project Level Restoration Ecologist for our Michigan operations to grow our ecological restoration practice while leading field crews and directing invasive plant management strategies.

The role requires 2+ years in restoration, a valid herbicide license (MI/IN/IL), travel up to 60%, and strong MS Office and technical writing skills. Competitive benefits and career growth await in New Buffalo, MI.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of professional experience supporting ecological restoration projects.
• Experience in invasive vegetative species management.
• Valid Herbicide Applicator’s license (MI/IN/IL).
• Experience leading teams in ecological restoration or similar work.
• Ability to travel up to 60% of the time within Michigan and surrounding states.
• Proficiency with MS Office products and basic technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct invasive species inventories, habitat assessments, and restoration planning to guide project strategies.
• Implement restoration activities such as seeding, planting, soil stabilization, erosion control, and long-term habitat management.
• Apply herbicides for invasive plant management with environmental compliance in mind.
• Oversee and support field crews, ensuring safe and efficient execution of restoration tasks.
• Maintain safety records and proactively identify potential hazards.

Skills

Ecological restoration

Team leadership

Invasive species management

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or related field

Herbicide Applicator’s license (MI/IN/IL)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking a Project Level Restoration Ecologist for SWCA’s Michigan operations to contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practice. The ideal candidate will be interested in developing a long-term consulting career that combines high-level technical expertise with commercial acumen and leadership. Prior experience in leading field crews is required. Prior experience is preferred in the planning, design, and implementation of invasive plant management programs in upland and wetland environments. Prior experience is preferred within one of the following areas: invasive species management; erosion control techniques; habitat conservation planning and restoration; bank restoration; and the implementation of ecological restoration in wetland or other sensitive resource areas for public and private clients.

This is a regular status, full time position, with benefits. Candidates must live within driving distance of our New Buffalo, MI office.

Under this requisition, we can hire the following

:

• Assistant Project Restoration Ecologist: Typically, with up to two (2) years of relevant experience and expertise. Three (3) years of related experience is preferred.
• Associate Project Restoration Ecologist: Typically, with up to three (3) years of relevant experience and expertise. Five (5) years of related experience is preferred.

What you will accomplish

• Conduct invasive species inventories, habitat assessments, and ecological restoration planning to guide project strategies.
• Implement restoration activities such as seeding, planting, soil stabilization, erosion control, wetland enhancement, and long-term habitat management.
• Apply herbicides for invasive plant management, ensuring environmental compliance and best practices.
• Oversee and support field crews, ensuring safe and efficient execution of invasive species management and restoration tasks.
• Takes responsibility for team safety and anticipating potential safety hazards

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience supporting ecological restoration projects.
• Previous experience in the management of invasive vegetative species.
• Possess a valid Indiana, Michigan, or Illinois State Herbicide Applicator’s license.
• Experience leading teams in ecological restoration or similar work (landscaping, wetland construction, manual invasive plant management, etc.)
• The position requires the ability to travel up to 60% of the time, primarily to project sites within Michigan and the surrounding states.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office products.
• Previous experience in technical writing within a professional context.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience supporting ecological restoration projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in an environment-related discipline, such as: environmental studies, environmental science, biology, ecology or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience driving a full size pickup truck with a trailer.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. 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.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this New Buffalo, MI - based position can expect the following pay rates: Assistant Project Restoration Ecologist- $27.04/hour to $34.25/hour; Associate Project Restoration Ecologist- $30.13/hour to $38.88/hour. 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 (Benefits + Wellness | SWCA), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged 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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