Project Level Restoration Ecologist

About the role

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Take responsibility for team safety and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

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.
• Prior experience in the planning, design, and implementation of invasive plant management programs in upland and wetland environments.
• Prior experience 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.
• Experience driving a full size pickup truck with a trailer.

Pay

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.

Benefits

Candidates are 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
• SWCA’s award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff