Job Information
AECOM Senior Field Biologist in San Diego, California
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a highly motivated Senior Field Biologist for immediate part-time, on call employment in the southern/central California and Nevada desert regions. This position would support numerous natural resource projects in the Mojave Desert region of California and Nevada with a focus on conducting biological surveys and regulatory compliance monitoring primarily for desert tortoise and/or burrowing owl, with potential to assist with vegetation mapping, wildlife assessments, habitat restoration, and/or permitting implementation with support from junior biologists. This is a field-based, fully remote position requiring the ability to be local on field assignments for extended periods but linked to a Southern California-based office.
Training and/or experience conducting surveys for listed species local to southern California and Nevada desert regions including desert tortoise, burrowing owl, Mojave fringe-toed lizard, and Mojave ground squirrel is preferred.
The responsibilities of this position could include a subset of those listed below based on relevant experience:
Lead protocol and pre-construction desert tortoise surveys and monitoring.
Lead and conduct focused burrowing owl surveys and monitoring, including passive relocation.
Lead and conduct focused American badger and desert kit fox surveys and monitoring.
Conduct general wildlife and/or botanical surveys, including vegetation and habitat mapping.
Identify and record native and non-native fauna and/or flora in the field.
Conduct other special-status species surveys, following established protocols or guidelines as relevant.
Conduct avian species nesting surveys and avian mortality monitoring.
Support project execution, including pre-construction surveys and construction monitoring.
Assist with environmental compliance monitoring.
Provide oversight of restoration crew work and restoration vegetation performance monitoring.
Perform other related duties assigned, such as coordination with team members, scheduling of work, etc.
Utilize electronic data collection methods in the field; manage, interpret, and analyze data, as needed.
Conduct monitoring and survey fieldwork as part of a team and independently in inland and desert environments, which can include rugged terrain.
Work under the supervision of a senior project manager or senior-level team member.
Ensure assigned tasks stay on schedule and budget.
Elevate compliance concerns to project or construction managers.
Provide clarification of resource project requirements to the compliance and construction teams.
Promote safety culture and adherence to Safe Work Plans.
Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist
To be approved by the USFWS to conduct activities that may result in “take” of the desert tortoise, an authorized biologist should have thorough knowledge of desert tortoise behavior, natural history, and ecology, and demonstrate substantial field experience and training to successfully:
Locate, identify, and report all forms of desert tortoise sign in accordance with approved protocols.
Handle and temporarily hold desert tortoises.
Relocate/translocate desert tortoises prior to implementation of projects.
Excavate burrows to locate desert tortoises or eggs.
Reconstruct desert tortoise burrows.
Unearth and relocate desert tortoise eggs.
Review and approve individual desert tortoise monitors and their activities based on qualifications of the monitors.
Directly supervise desert tortoise monitors during clearance surveys and train monitors in all aspects of protecting desert tortoises during implementation of projects.
Be familiar with project biological assessments and biological opinions or incidental take permits.
Direct proper implementation of protective measures.
Record and report incidents of noncompliance in accordance with a biological opinion or permit.
Halt project activities per provisions of the biological opinion or permit.
About AECOM’s Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it. We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.
AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects are diverse and interesting. They span market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems within diverse community profiles.
AECOM’s Sustainable Legacies program describes our approach to the environment, social equity and governance (ESG.) We embed sustainability throughout our business and help clients embed sustainable practices into their work. We help clients reduce their impact on the environment, achieve compliance and reduce risks.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in related field (biology, ecology, etc.).
4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education working in desert environments within the range of the desert tortoise.
Ability to safely drive to job sites; valid driver license required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior consulting experience preferred, but non-consultant candidates with relevant experience will be considered.
Experience conducting biological surveys and/or environmental compliance monitoring and biological construction oversight.
Field experience with special status species of southern California or Nevada, and knowledge of regulatory requirements.
Possess a 10(A)(1)(a) permit for listed species local to southern California and Nevada
Ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle over difficult terrain.
Familiarity with mitigation, monitoring, and reporting programs.
Experience on construction-associated transmission and/or utility projects.
Familiarity with regulatory and permitting requirements under the federal Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, NEPA, CEQA, and the Clean Water Act.
Substantial field experience and training to safely and successfully conduct desert tortoise surveys and monitoring.
Substantial field experience to conduct focused burrowing owl surveys
Experience implementing the terms and conditions of USFWS biological opinions and CDFW incidental take permits.
Completion of Introduction to Mojave Desert Tortoise course from the Desert Tortoise Council (or equivalent).
Familiarity with the Desert Tortoise (Mojave Population) Field Manual (USFWS 2009).
Knowledge of southern California and/or southern Nevada wildlife and plant species.
Flexibility and willingness to support multiple projects as needed.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong leadership and diplomacy skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Experience with electronic data collection (Fulcrum, Field Maps, etc.).
Additional Information
- Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.
Offered compensation will be based on location and individual qualifications. The expected range is $38.00/hour - $50.00/hour.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
ReqID: J10124351
Business Line: Environment
Business Group: DCS
Strategic Business Unit: West
Career Area: Science
Work Location Model: Remote
Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc