Staff Restoration Engineer (Chicago, IL or New Buffalo, MI)

About the opportunity:

SWCA Environmental Consultants & Engineering is currently seeking a Staff-Level Restoration Engineer with a passion for ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering We are looking for an Engineer who can contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practices throughout the Great lakes as well as support SWCA’s ecological restoration projects throughout the entire U.S.

This position will be based in New Buffalo, MI, or our Lombard, IL office with the flexibility to work either as a hybrid or remote employee. The ideal candidate will have experience/background in stream, wetland, and coastal/living shoreline design projects, and should have a solid understanding of applied hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology. Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling is a plus.

The position will entail travel on occasion to assess project sites, collect field data, and meet with clients. Travel will be about 20% of the time with much of the travel being local/regional. This is a full-time, permanent, hourly, benefits eligible position.

This position can hire at the following levels:

• Assistant Staff Restoration Engineer : Typically with up to a year of relevant experience and expertise.
• Staff Restoration Engineering : Typically with at least two (2) years of relevant experience and expertise.

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.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision 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.

What you will accomplish:

• Conduct field work to assess existing site conditions, assess reference reach sites, and perform geomorphic surveys
• Participate in the engineering design, reporting, and development of construction plans for restoration of streams, wetlands, prairies, and woodlands
• Conduct engineering analyses to support the development of restoration designs
• Write clear and concise technical documentation of engineering analyses
• Develop project management skills
• Adhere to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards.
• Represent SWCA and continue your professional development at industry conferences
• Work independently in a fast-paced environment; work under pressure and meet set deadlines

Experience and qualifications for success:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental, or Coastal Engineering)
• Experience with hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software
• Up to one year of ecosystem restoration design experience
• Up to one year of experience in ecosystem restoration and/or prior related internship
• Knowledge of erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and civil site design principles.
• Engineer-in-Training certification
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience developing ecological restoration design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Experience with survey equipment and techniques
• Two or more years of Ecosystem design experience
• Familiarity with engineering software such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. 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.

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 [email protected] 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 in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in New Buffalo, MI can expect an hourly rate of $26.75-$34.78 for the Assistant Staff Engineer role and an hourly rate of $30.50-$39.59 for the Staff Engineer role. An employee in Lombard, IL can expect an hourly rate of $28-$36.51 for the Assistant Staff Engineer role and an hourly rate of $32.02-$41.57 for the Staff Engineer role. 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. 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.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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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