Data Scientist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Data Scientist to join our Technology and Innovation team in a fully remote capacity from anywhere within the United States. In this role, you will support advanced analytics, machine learning, and data science initiatives across SWCA's business lines and environmental consulting projects. You will collaborate with technology teams, environmental scientists, project managers, and other multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop, deploy, and maintain production-ready applications and analytical solutions that support both internal operations and client-facing work. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong technical expertise, a passion for applying data science within the environmental sector, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, evolving environment. You will independently deliver defined AI and data projects from stakeholder discovery through deployment and adoption, drawing on team expertise for complex design decisions.

This is a full-time, regular, salaried/exempt, benefits-eligible, and distributed (=remote) opportunity that may be based anywhere within the United States.

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

• Scope projects with stakeholders, define success measures, and select appropriate statistical, machine learning, or AI approaches for business and environmental problems.
• Design, deploy, and maintain Python services for internal AI applications, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), structured outputs, tool calling, and API integrations.
• Build AI agents with Copilot Studio and custom frameworks; manage internal and stakeholder review, release, and ongoing improvement.
• Develop document-intelligence pipelines using content extraction, optical character recognition (OCR), embeddings, and vector search; preserve source traceability and expert review.
• Build and maintain SQL and cloud data pipelines for analytics, models, and agents; validate data quality and integrate enterprise data sources.
• Develop evaluation datasets and repeatable tests; compare models and retrieval methods for quality, accuracy, cost, and response time, and monitor performance after deployment.
• Deliver maintainable software through GitHub, automated testing, Docker, and deployment workflows; validate work produced with approved AI coding assistants.
• Apply access controls, logging, auditability, and human oversight with technology and governance partners; contribute to reusable service, evaluation, and agent standards.
• Drive adoption through documentation, training, and user support; measure outcomes such as time saved, decision quality, usage, and client value.
• Mentor associate staff, review technical work, and help the team make informed model, platform, and deployment decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

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 Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in a Data Science, Data Analytics, GIS Analytics, or related technology position.
• Experience delivering large language model (LLM) applications to real users, such as RAG systems, agents with tool calling, or document AI, including evaluation and iteration beyond a prototype.
• Proficiency in Python services built with FastAPI or similar frameworks; experience with Git code review, automated tests, Docker, and continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
• Cloud deployment experience and data engineering skills in SQL and pipeline development.
• Ability to evaluate AI quality, cost, and response time; implement secure data access, traceable outputs, monitoring, and appropriate human review.
• Ability to scope ambiguous needs with nontechnical stakeholders, deliver independently, and support adoption; clear communication for consulting and client-facing work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in a Data Science, Data Analytics, GIS Analytics, or related technology position.
• Experience applying statistical and machine learning methods, validating models, assessing data quality, and selecting approaches appropriate to the problem.
• Experience with Azure OpenAI, Azure Machine Learning, Container Apps, Microsoft Fabric, or Azure Data Factory.
• Experience with Copilot Studio, Power Platform, Microsoft Graph, SharePoint, or Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations.
• Experience with OCR pipelines, self-hosted inference such as vLLM, GPU workflows, or tools for repeatable LLM evaluation and operational monitoring.
• Experience in environmental consulting or other auditable applications of AI; experience mentoring colleagues and supporting responsible AI adoption.

Other Job Conditions

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

When traveling is required

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.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this US-based position is $79,747.20 to $104,457.60 per year. 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.