About the opportunity
SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project-level GIS Specialist (HR Title: Assistant Project Geospatial Scientist) to join our Southwest GIS team. Based in Las Vegas, this role will support construction services and environmental consulting projects across Nevada and the Southwest, as well as projects in other regions wherever SWCA needs GIS support.
This is an opportunity to put GIS to work while construction is underway. You will provide maps, data, applications, and technical support that help project teams protect sensitive resources, track environmental commitments, document field conditions, and respond to changing needs. Your work may support plant salvage, environmental monitoring and inspections, project design and proposed disturbance updates, variance requests, and compliance reporting.
The role also includes hands-on support for large, ongoing compliance programs. Depending on project assignment, you may support multiple Field Maps applications and user groups of hundreds, curate incoming field data, and prepare recurring reports with figures, spatial data, and calculations. You may also help maintain project design systems, software licensing, and ArcGIS Online access and sharing for field staff, subcontractors, agencies, and other stakeholders. When time-sensitive issues arise, you will help teams respond with accurate spatial information and documentation.
You will take ownership of GIS deliverables and collaborate with project managers, construction personnel, field staff, and resource specialists. The work offers the opportunity to apply and expand your technical expertise while supporting natural and cultural resource management across the Southwest and beyond.
This requisition may be filled at one of the following levels, based on minimum relevant experience:
- Assistant Project Geospatial Scientist: Three (3) + years of relevant industry experience and expertise.
- Associate Project Geospatial Scientist: Four (4) + years of relevant industry experience and expertise.
- Project Geospatial Scientist: Five (5) + years of relevant industry experience and expertise.
This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), hourly/non-exempt position reporting to SWCA’s Las Vegas, NV office. A hybrid arrangement is available for employees based near the Las Vegas office. Hybrid arrangements may also be possible at other SWCA offices, depending on local circumstances. Employees who do not live near an SWCA office will work remotely. All candidates must be able to work a Pacific Time Zone schedule. Travel is not expected on a regular basis but may occasionally be required to support project work.
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.
About SWCA
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.
We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.
What you will accomplish
- Leads projects or tasks of varying sizes from start to finish, employing experience and technical knowledge and proficiency to manage tasks.
- Executes technical tasks directly or through others, performing complex geoprocessing, modeling, or spatial analysis in coordination with subject matter experts and senior team members.
- Helps ensure the overall quality of work is consistent with SWCA's standards and practices, working collaboratively with team members to maintain high standards.
- Produces moderately complex cartographic-quality maps adhering to SWCA or client mapping templates, demonstrating advanced cartography and visualization skills.
- Manages large, complex data sets, showcasing expertise in data management, organization, and optimization for geospatial projects.
- Designs, creates, maintains, and performs QA/QC of geospatial databases, ensuring data integrity and reliability across projects.
- Independently troubleshoots complex problems for resource teams, providing solutions and support for technical challenges encountered in projects.
- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
- Performs related work as assigned.
Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities
- Build and maintain web maps, dashboards, and applications using ArcGIS Online and related web GIS platforms to support construction project delivery and provide stakeholders with access to current geospatial information.
- Coordinate GIS support for large-scale, ongoing construction compliance monitoring efforts using ArcGIS Field Maps and related applications. Curate data collected by field staff and prepare recurring reporting materials - including figures, spatial data, and calculations - on daily or weekly schedules as project needs require.
- Maintain current project design and proposed disturbance information, and prepare and distribute updates for field staff and subcontractors.
- Provide technical support to field staff and subcontractors using GIS applications and data workflows, troubleshooting access, collection, and data issues.
- Support the administration and management of project delivery systems (PDS), software licensing, and ArcGIS Online access and sharing across external contractors, agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Support plant salvage and other resource protection efforts by mapping locations, organizing field data, and helping project teams document work and results.
- Respond promptly to time-sensitive construction issues, including variance requests and potential non-compliance. Help teams assess spatial impacts, document field conditions, update GIS information, and coordinate follow-up.
- Coordinate with project managers, technical leads, construction personnel, field staff, and subject matter experts to define GIS needs, plan and track deliverables, meet project schedules, and communicate progress or issues.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree. Three years of relevant, progressively responsible experience. Five years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
Experience and qualifications for success
- Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, Archaeology, or a related field with an emphasis in GIS (or GIS certificate).
- Three (3) years of post-education GIS experience in a professional setting.
- Previous experience as a GIS professional in the environmental consulting industry.
- Demonstrated experience with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, geoprocessing, spatial analysis, and cartographic design
Preferred Qualifications:
- Seven (7) years of post-education GIS experience in a professional setting, particularly for consideration at the Project Geospatial Scientist level.
- Previous experience supporting construction geospatial work associated with environmental compliance or inspection projects.
- Experience supporting large-scale, ongoing compliance monitoring using ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, Fulcrum, or similar tools, including curating field data and preparing recurring reports with figures, spatial data, and calculations.
- Experience maintaining project design and proposed disturbance data for construction teams and supporting field staff and subcontractors with GIS applications and data workflows.
- Experience supporting project design systems, software licensing, and ArcGIS Online access and sharing across contractors, agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Experience supporting time-sensitive variance requests or potential non-compliance with spatial analysis, field documentation, and GIS updates.
- Experience managing large, complex databases, including designing schemas and domains.
- GIS project management experience and the ability to work independently on complex tasks.
- Quality assurance and quality control experience and familiarity with workflow automation using Python, SQL, or similar tools.
- Experience on environmental consulting projects involving regulatory compliance or federal land management agencies such as the BLM, USGS, USFWS, or USACE.
- Active involvement in technical or professional GIS organizations.
Other Job Conditions
This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.
Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.
Pay Range
SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Las Vegas, NV-based position is:
- Assistant Project Geospatial Scientist: $27.56 to $35.36 per hour
- Associate Project Geospatial Scientist: $30.94 to $39.78 per hour
- Project Geospatial Scientist: $34.32 to $44.20 per hour
Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.
As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.
Closing
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact accommodations@swca.com or call 1 480 581 5378. If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.
Use of Technology in Hiring
SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.
Candidate Use of AI
Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.
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.
#IND-SWCA