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Biologist (On-Call)

ESA is seeking variable part-time (on-call) field biologists and technical report writers who hold a bachelor’s degree in an environmental or biological science discipline with a minimum 5 years experience in southern and central California, and willing to travel. The need for part-time on-call services is expected to be greatest in spring through summer with periodic work throughout other parts of the year. 

Who You Are 

Preference given to candidates who have previous experience in general plant and wildlife surveys, habitat assessments, and/or technical report writing for the geographic areas of Southern California and the Central Valley.  

Preference will be given to candidates with direct experience conducting habitat assessments and vegetation mapping, aquatic resources delineations, surveying, handling, and monitoring for, or with monitoring approvals by state and federal agencies for one or more of the following species: California tiger salamander, desert tortoise, San Joaquin kit fox, Stephen’s kangaroo rat, Swainson’s hawk, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, and/or other nesting birds, and Crotch’s bumble bee.

You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in vegetated environments, agricultural fields, arid lands, and along stream banks. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some early morning, late night and/or weekend work, as well as long hours may be required. You may be required to provide a writing sample.  

What You Will Do for ESA

You will participate in plant and wildlife surveys, aquatic resources delineations and technical biological reporting for an array of projects; you will work near heavy equipment. You possess a valid driver’s license and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road. Responsibilities will include: 

  • Conduct special-status species surveys and nesting bird surveys 
  • Identify and relocate sensitive species, when needed  
  • Effective verbal and written communicate about complex topics with senior ESA staff, construction crews, consultant partners, project personnel, and project management staff
  • Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary groups as an effective communicator who contributes constructively and cooperatively to solve project and team challenges  
  • Maintain written daily written monitoring and inspection logs, including utilizing electronic data collection tools, such as Fulcrum and Trello 
  • Enter data into an on-line GIS mapping application, such as ArcMap, Collector, Survey 123 
  • Work on construction sites around heavy equipment 
  • Must have own transportation to project sites and a smart phone
  • Staff may need to complete a background check for access to high security areas, such as near railroad lines 

 

What’s Special About Our Biology Team

Our diverse Biology Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout California. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state’s sensitive natural resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

We encourage you to read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed. 

 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

You are eligible to participate in ESA’s sick leave program. You may be eligible to participate in our employee stock ownership program and tax deferred 401(k) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements for these plans.

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.  

CA Pay Transparency Clause

$26.26 - $38.08 USD

 

 

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

 

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D) 

 

 

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