Assistant/Associate Level Project Manager

About the opportunity SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding our hydropower regulatory and licensing team and seeks an Assistant or Associate Project Manager who is a dynamic, self‑motivated individual with a passion for hydropower and renewable energy. Our hydropower team works with clients across the country supporting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdictional hydropower projects, as well as Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hydropower and reservoir projects. Projects include pumped storage and conventional hydropower systems, small hydroelectric conduits and facilities, storage reservoirs, decommissioning, and ongoing support for implementation of project repairs, upgrades, and other capital improvements. The Hydropower team works closely with our natural resources, cultural resources, and environmental planning colleagues to assist clients in complying with federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern environmental impacts, management and protection. This is a regular (with benefits), full‑time, hourly position reporting to our Salt Lake City office. The position is eligible for hybrid or remote (distributed) work environments. Candidates located in the greater Salt Lake City area, the Rocky Mountain/Great Basin region, or the Western USA are highly preferred. This job requisition can hire at two levels: Assistant Project Manager – Typically with three (3) years of relevant industry experience preferred. Associate Project Manager – Typically with five (5) years of relevant industry experience plus two (2) years of project management experience preferred. 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. Our Vision (the North Star) Help drive SWCA to be 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. Core Values We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning , we #NeverSettle , and we #GiveBack . We are 100% employee‑owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture. Purpose Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story. What you will accomplish You will be responsible for supporting Project Managers in administrative and technical tasks associated with managing hydropower projects predominantly under jurisdiction of FERC, BOR, USACE, other entities, including, but not limited to: Leading or assisting with projects from start to finish, including multidisciplinary survey and permitting activities in support of FERC and BOR‑jurisdictional hydropower projects, as well USACE hydropower and reservoir projects. Working closely with technical editors, GIS specialists, technical resource leads, and project teams to develop content for licensing documents, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, implementation plans, technical studies, and federal, state, and local permitting documentation. Reviewing technical reports (typically containing text, tables, maps and other graphics) ensuring scientific and regulatory adequacy, completeness, organization, clarity, consistency, grammar, and conformity with SWCA or client style guidelines. Developing and organizing project documents, scopes, plans, schedules, and other project documents and maintaining project files utilizing cloud‑based collaborative resources such as SharePoint, Box, and Smartsheets. Collaborating efficiently with Project Managers to manage and develop project budgets, schedules, and documents, adjusting as necessary to meet evolving project needs. Participating in meetings with clients and agencies and developing meeting materials, including agendas, notes, and presentations. Taking initiative to resolve issues and assure project needs are met effectively; monitoring progress on project tasks, communicating risks to schedule, budget, safety, quality, and performance standards to Project Managers and other office leadership as necessary. Fostering a positive, collaborative working environment among team members. Implementing and administering SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics; taking responsibility for team safety, including developing safety plans (when applicable) and anticipating hazards. Following applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications; perform related work as assigned. Experience and qualifications for success Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strong organizational and technical writing skills; the ability to translate technical jargon into plain language while maintaining a high level of quality. A commitment to quality, teamwork, and professionalism; excellent interpersonal skills and an openness to constructive feedback and collaboration with diverse project teams. Curiosity and flexibility in project work, and the ability to embrace new challenges as opportunities for growth. Minimum Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, biology, natural resource management, planning, geology, geography, history, law, or another science‑related or policy‑related field. Three (3) years of relevant industry experience, including hydropower or planning document preparation or project management for projects in private industry, consulting, or as a developer. Experience can include a blend of agency experience, experience working with state, federal, or Tribal organizations, and education. A basic understanding of environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Power Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other related statutes. Familiarity with hydropower regulatory compliance, hydropower systems, or other water storage projects. Experience and ability to support or manage projects in diverse settings with changing requirements. Preferred Qualifications A Masters’ degree in environmental planning, environmental science, biology, natural resource management, planning, geology, geography, history, law, or another science‑related or policy‑related field. At least five (5) years of relevant industry experience, including two (2) years of managing complex, multidisciplinary projects in private industry, consulting, or as a developer. Experience can include a blend of agency experience, experience working with state, federal, or tribal organizations, and education. Working knowledge of environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Power Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other related statutes. Demonstrated experience with hydropower regulatory compliance, hydropower systems, or other water storage projects. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Experience developing and managing project budgets and schedules. Benefits and Compensation SWCA is a 100% employee‑owned firm and offers a supportive, team‑oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an employee stock ownership plan (retirement). If you are seeking an opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions, then SWCA will be a great fit for you! We will also provide assistance to those needing accommodations with the hiring process at View email address on click.appcast.io. 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, UT‑based Assistant Project Manager position can expect a rate of $28.88/hour to $36.75/hour . An employee in the Associate Project Manager position can expect a rate of $32.03/hour to $40.95/hour . Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. 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. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. Internal Candidates 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. #LI-NP1 #J-18808-Ljbffr