Project GIS Specialist

About the opportunity:

SWCA is seeking a Project GIS Specialist (HR Title = Project Geospatial Scientist) to support Environmental Consulting projects across SWCA’s Southwest operations. In this role, you will take ownership of GIS solutions, collaborate with talented teams, and contribute to a variety of projects across the region and nationally.

This position is available for hybrid work arrangements in Arizona , with consideration for highly qualified remote candidates elsewhere in nearby locations. This is a salaried, exempt, regular (with benefits), position.

Please feel free to provide relevant work samples for further consideration.

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.

What you will accomplish:

The Project Geospatial Scientist will support a wide variety of environmental consulting projects throughout the Southwest Region and across SWCA. This position is ideal for a technically strong GIS professional who enjoys solving problems, working independently, and collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing GIS tasks for multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating directly with project managers and resource specialists, and developing practical GIS solutions that support project objectives. This role requires someone who can work with minimal supervision, adapt to changing priorities, and consistently deliver high-quality work products.

Responsibilities Include:

• Independently manage GIS support for multiple environmental consulting projects.
• Coordinate directly with project managers, scientists, planners, archaeologists, biologists, and technical specialists to understand project needs and develop GIS solutions.
• Perform spatial analysis, geoprocessing, data management, and cartographic production using ArcGIS Pro and related technologies.
• Develop and maintain web maps, mobile data collection applications, and GIS workflows using ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123, and related tools.
• Produce high-quality maps, figures, and geospatial deliverables that meet SWCA and client standards.
• Manage, organize, and QA/QC complex geospatial datasets.
• Support field data collection efforts through the development and maintenance of mobile GIS applications and workflows.
• Design, create, maintain, and perform QA/QC of geospatial databases.
• Independently troubleshoot GIS issues and develop practical solutions for project teams.
• Perform complex geoprocessing, modeling, and spatial analysis in coordination with subject matter experts and senior staff.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of GIS workflows, tools, and best practices.
• Maintain technical proficiency through ongoing learning and professional development.
• Apply knowledge of environmental resources and regulatory processes to project work.
• Comply with project and company safety requirements.

This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of GIS deliverables, expand your technical expertise, and work on a diverse range of environmental consulting projects throughout the Southwest and beyond.

Experience and qualifications for success:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geography, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field with an emphasis in GIS (or GIS certificate).
• Five (5) years of professional GIS experience with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility.
• Previous experience in the environmental consulting, AEC, or a closely related industry
• Strong proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, including spatial analysis, geoprocessing, cartography, and data management.
• Experience supporting projects from planning and field preparation through analysis, reporting, and final deliverables.
• Experience managing and maintaining geospatial datasets and performing QA/QC.
• Experience with ArcGIS Online, including web maps, hosted data, and user management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geography, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field with an emphasis in GIS (or GIS certificate).
• Seven (7) years of experience as a senior GIS analyst or similar position with demonstrated increasing levels of professional responsibility and leadership.
• Previous experience as a GIS professional within environmental consulting.
• Experience supporting field operations using ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, or similar mobile GIS platforms.
• Experience managing large geospatial datasets, including database design, schemas, and domains.
• Experience with workflow automation using Python, ModelBuilder, SQL, or similar technologies.
• Experience supporting projects involving federal land management agencies such as BLM, USFS, USFWS, USACE, BOR, or similar organizations.
• Experience with remote sensing, imagery processing, LiDAR, UAV data, or advanced spatial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior GIS professionals and multidisciplinary project teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing project needs.

Why Work at SWCA:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) 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. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning , we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

We are 100% employee-owned , and we build our success together. 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 . We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; 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 this Phoenix, AZ-based position can expect a salary between $71,385.60 - $91,936.00 , depending on experience, geographic locations, 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.

EOE - 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.

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.