Ecological Restoration Technician- Temporary

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants' Ecological Restoration Group is seeking Ecological Restoration Technicians to join our team for the 2025 field season. These temporary, hourly, position will primarily involve fieldwork in Michigan, northern Indiana, and the greater Chicago area, including surrounding regions. Frequent travel across the Midwest will be required to support a variety of restoration projects. The anticipated hire date for these positions is mid-April 2025. Candidates can expect to work between 32 and 50 hours per week beginning in April and ending in late fall of 2025.

Candidates located in or within 50 miles of New Buffalo, MI will be highly considered.

As a temporary employee, you will be eligible for SWCA's wellness paid time off, employee assistance program, and participation in wellness program activities. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful restoration efforts while working alongside a dedicated and collaborative team.

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.

What You Will Accomplish

• Work in a team setting to complete ecological restoration tasks such as native plantings, bank/soil stabilization, wetland enhancement, invasive plant management, vegetation monitoring, and data collection.
• Effectively communicate with other project team members and follow instructions well
• Implement and complete tasks and responsibilities delegated by Field Supervisors
• Take positive action and accountability for assigned work
• Adhere to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
  
  

Required

Experience and qualifications for success

• An interest in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field of science
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Ability to effectively execute tasks safely, efficiently, and at times independently
• Can conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and work in difficult work sites and weather conditions
• Ability to work out-of-town for extended periods to conduct work on various projects
• Ability to perform herbicide application
• Flexible during times of change
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Must hold a valid driver's license and be able to drive a ¾ -ton pick-up truck
  
  

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field of science
• At least one year of field work experience in ecological restoration, landscaping, farming, construction or another related field
• Ability to drive a 1-ton pickup truck with trailer
• Previous herbicide application experience within the Midwest
• Certified Pesticide Applicators license
• Previous erosion control experience
• Experience operating small equipment such as ATVs/UTVs, chainsaws, brush cutters, mini skid steers, and others
• OSHA 10, 30, or 40-hour certification

Why Work At SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned, 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 an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All 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 (above) on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An Ecological Restoration Technician in this Chicago- based position cab expect the following pay range: $20.55/hr. - 26.50/hr.

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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