Job Description
Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST), a dynamic environmental and statistical consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada, is looking for a full time Consulting Biologist/Bat Biologist. The bat biologist would be responsible for helping to lead the WEST presence/probable absence bat survey program. This would entail acting as the point person to Project Managers and other biologists to navigate the USFWS guidelines and design surveys/develop study plans, training and managing bat field crews, and help coordinate surveys and all associated materials. This job would primarily be office work with the occasional travel to kick off projects and provide training or QA/QC visits to ensure WEST standards are being met on all bat surveys. Additionally, would help lead and mentor other permitted bat biologists to complete field surveys.
WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. Since its founding in 1990, the WEST team has shaped the foundation of what we do, and what we believe in through our core values and key principles. Our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.
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Key Details:
- Salary: The base salary ranges from $66,000 - $95,000 for the Consulting-level bat biologist. Base salary and title may vary based on education, knowledge and experience.
This position will require occasional overnight travel and fieldwork but would be primarily office work and can be completed remotely or from one of WEST’s offices. If the successful candidate chooses to work from one of WEST’s offices, a relocation bonus can be offered. The start date is flexible and will be based on finding the right candidate.
Job Summary:
The successful candidate will have experience completing bat presence/probable absence surveys (acoustic and mist-net) and hold a USFWS recovery permit or be eligible to obtain one. Additionally, the successful candidate must be familiar with the current USFWS guidelines and implementing the guidelines to design bat surveys/study plans and the reports on those surveys. Experience managing and training other biologists is preferred. Comfortable communicating and advising Project Managers, clients, and agency personnel on listed bat species and surveys. Other duties include writing technical reports, managing field projects and field staff, preparing scopes/budgets for proposed projects, preparing/reviewing study plans, working with clients and state and federal agencies, completing/managing pre- and post-construction bat surveys at energy projects, and other field work and research as needed. The ideal candidate would have the experience and desire to lead a team of other regular staff biologists.
This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of the duties which may be associated with this position.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading and mentoring bat biologists and field crews during summer presence/absence surveys. This will be done primarily by providing technical guidance on bat surveys following the current USFWS guidelines, including site selection, determining specific net locations, radio tag attachment, telemetry, and roost emergence counts
- Being a primary point of contact for WEST project managers to help prepare/review proposals/budgets, study plans for agency submittal and site specific authorization requests, and technical and permitting reports of survey results.
- Be familiar with the current USFWS Range-wide Indiana bat and Northern long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines
- Deploy common bat acoustic detector models and help trouble-shoot issues in the field.
- Must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with WEST Project Managers and provide support to field staff.
Requirements:
The successful candidate must be a self-starter who possesses:
- Hold, or currently on a federal recovery permit for the capture of Indiana bats, northern long-eared bats, and gray bats in the majority of regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and be able to add tricolored bats.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or an equivalent degree preferred.
- Candidates with previous staff and project management experience and/or in-field experience with mist-net surveys will be given preference. Experience with bat handling, bat identification, GPS units, tablet data collection, radio-telemetry, compass, and other field equipment preferred.
- Candidates must be organized, and able to collect and manage data, including implementing quality control measures.
After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required.
WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.
