Lead/Senior Water Resources Scientist

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding and looking for dynamic individuals to support the growing Water Resources ("Water") technical team. The SWCA Great Basin subregion is seeking a Lead Water Resources Scientist who is motivated to work in a team environment, serve as a technical expert locally (in Utah, Western U.S., Southwestern U.S.) and nationally (throughout SWCA), manage challenging projects, pursue business development opportunities, and use their expertise to pursue a rewarding professional consulting career.

As a Lead Water Resources Scientist and project manager, you will function as a technical, subject matter expert supporting and managing projects locally and throughout SWCA. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to identify and evaluate opportunities in the market and will pursue, capture, manage, and execute a variety of water quality and water analysis projects -- including watershed plans, water quality sampling projects, water quality and watershed modeling projects, water conservation projects, and support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-related watershed science tasks.

The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating the quality, quantity, and recoverability of water resources with respect to regulations and project details. A Lead Water Resource Scientist is expected to strategically consult and lead complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, oversee the technical approach, assist in leading the project team, and ensure quality assurance and quality control. The position also provides opportunities for staff management, career development, supervision, training, and mentorship. We are seeking applications from multi-disciplinary water resources specialists who are eager to participate in our watershed management approach to creative project solutions across various water resources disciplines.

This is a regular (with benefits), salaried, full-time position. In-office or hybrid work environments for those based in or near Salt Lake City, UT, are preferred. Highly qualified remote employees will also be seriously considered.

This job opening can hire at the following levels:

• Lead Water Resources Scientist - Typically with eight (8) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Senior Water Resources Scientist - Typically with ten (10) years of relevant experience and expertise.
• Principal Water Resources Scientist - Typically with twelve (12) years of relevant experience and expertise.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

The description below is for a Lead Water Resources Scientist. Job responsibilities for Senior and Principal Water Resources Scientists will be more complex, potentially indisciplinary, and lead larger (potentially cross regional) projects.

• Actively manages a portfolio of routine projects.
• Leads projects and pursuits of varying complexity end-to-end (relative complexity balances variables like scale, budget, duration, controversy, risk, regulations, disciplines, geography, phases, etc.), or leads part(s) of a more complex project or pursuit.
• Acts as a technical and professional 'go-to' resource who can develop and propose solutions within their practice area, serving as the subject matter expert, reviewing work in their field.
• Generates new technical approaches to develop additional work with existing or potential clients.
• Manages their project or task schedule and budget to achieve project objectives and accountabilities.
• Designs technical solutions/approaches and directs their implementation.
• Executes tasks as the leader of layered work groups, coordinating assignments and giving directions.
• May supervise the overall performance of individuals and teams through other supervisors.
• Builds collaborative relationships across offices and geographies to share resources and expertise.
• Influences teams across SWCA, even without formal authority. Trains and mentors others, as needed.
• Leads client relations and business development opportunities. Negotiates deliverables and continually communicates with clients and regulators to manage expectations. Maintains an awareness of competitors in the marketplace and how SWCA differentiates itself.
• Leads project communications with regulators. Navigates the broad regulatory framework under which we work.
• Communicates with stakeholders/public audiences. Always professionally represents SWCA.
• Leads and develops QA/QC methods or procedures.
• Drives compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Understands SWCA's business model and basic financials and keeps them 'top of mind' while making decisions about a client/project situation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hydrology, Water Resources, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, or a related field.
• Lead I Water Resources Scientist- Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the water resources field, in addition to university or graduate work.
• Lead II Senior Water Resources Scientist- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the water resources field, in addition to university or graduate work.
• Lead III Principal Water Resources Scientist- Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in the water resources field, in addition to university or graduate work.
• Previous experience with water quality, hydrology, and/or water resources-related issues.
• Proven experience solving technical problems by utilizing professional judgment, creativity, science, research, and innovation.
• Demonstrated experience participating in and collaborating within a project team setting while engaging in independent creative and critical thinking.

Preferred Requirement

Please note that an absence of one or more of these skills is not critical as long as you demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills.

• Previous experience in environmental consulting is highly desired.
• Graduate degree in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Water Resource Management, or related graduate degree.
• Project management, client management, and/or business development experience.
• Previous experience managing and mentoring others.
• Experience with groundwater and hydrogeology.
• Experience with large datasets and analysis using analytical tools and programs such as R.
• Experience working with and/or for government agencies such as the Offices of the State Engineer, state water quality agencies, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers, and/or other municipal water agencies and managers.
• Technical experience with total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and/or EPA 9-Element Watershed Planning.
• Watershed science NEPA experience.

SWCA is a 100% employee-owned company, and we build our success together. 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. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement). We are expanding our team in Salt Lake City, UT, and are looking for motivated individuals who take pride in delivering high-quality project work. If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence and ownership in your work as well as collaborating in a dynamic team environment, this is a great opportunity for you!

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

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

An employee in this Salt Lake City-based position can expect a salary of: Lead Water Resources Scientist -- $86,154/year to $105,959/year; Senior Water Resources Scientist -- $97,490/year to $124,696/year; and Principal Water Resources Scientist - $109,959/year to $140,556/year. 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, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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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