Principal Geospatial Sciences Program Lead - North Region

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an experienced and strategic Principal Geospatial Sciences Program Lead to oversee GIS professionals, services, and projects across the North region. This full-time, regular (with benefits), salaried, and exempt position offers flexibility for remote or hybrid work. However, it is strongly preferred that applicants be located within SWCA’s North region and preferability in proximity to one of our offices in Denver, Sheridan, Bismark, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Amherst, or Boston.

As Principal Geospatial Sciences Program Lead, you will provide leadership to a large, distributed GIS workforce, driving the implementation of goals and strategies that advance our geospatial services, technology adoption, and project excellence. You will collaborate closely with operations and technology leaders, manage strategic projects, and ensure the delivery of high-quality GIS products and solutions. This role is ideal for a seasoned GIS professional who excels at building strong teams, fostering innovation, and promoting best practices in geospatial science.

As Principal Geospatial Sciences Program Lead, you will:

• →Provide leadership to a large, distributed team of GIS professionals, working with the Director of GIS to set and implement strategic goals for the North region.
• →Ensure consistent, high-quality GIS deliverables, serving as senior technical reviewer for major projects.
• →Coordinate inter-office workloads and foster positive relationships across teams to promote collaboration, engagement, and efficiency.
• →Collaborate with regional and corporate leadership to balance workloads and maintain quality standards.
• →Monitor productivity metrics, anticipate workload fluctuations, and ensure optimal resource allocation.
• →Manage large, strategic projects and serve as a GIS advisor to project managers and stakeholders.
• →Promote GIS services internally and externally, representing SWCA’s capabilities to clients and partners.
• →Represent the Technology team within regional leadership, advocating for geospatial needs and priorities.
• →Troubleshoot GIS issues, gather user feedback, and implement improvements to enhance service delivery.
• →Collaborate on Esri software releases, training, and requirements to ensure staff proficiency and technology optimization.
• →Work with technical leaders to establish and promote best practices for GIS data collection, analysis, mapping, and reporting.
• →Communicate geospatial solutions and needs for budget planning, supporting strategic decision-making.

Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Ten years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree; master's degree preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field with GIS emphasis (or GIS certificate).
• Eight (8) or more years of GIS professional experience, including budgeting, preparation, analysis, and deliverables.
• Five (5) or more years in GIS leadership roles, overseeing highly distributed teams across multiple offices, states, and time zones.
• Experience with large project execution in the Environmental Consulting or AEC space.
• Experience with data transfer, analysis, mining, and inventory using Windows Explorer, Excel, Access, and ESRI ArcGIS.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, cartography, and data management.
• Experience with ArcGIS Online/Enterprise platforms.
• Basic understanding of statistics and geometric math.

• Master’s degree in a related field with GIS emphasis.
• Experience managing GIS projects in environmental consulting, especially for natural or cultural resources in transportation, transmission, oil/gas, mining, or renewables sectors.
• Experience preparing presentations and protocols for GIS methods and metadata.
• Development of analytical models for resource processes.
• Familiarity with federal land management and regulatory agencies (e.g., USFS, NPS, BLM, BOR, USGS).
• Professional GIS certification (e.g., GISP).

• Demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with staff, technical teams, and leaders across the company.
• Flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to engagement and teamwork.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and establish or shift priorities under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to balance ever-changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Recognized mentor of others in the context of broader organizational goals and succession efforts.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency.

The expected pay range for this North regional position is $99,507.20 to $134,010.00 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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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