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 Associate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permitted Bat Biologist. The bat biologist would be responsible for conducting presence/probable absence surveys (acoustic and mist-net) along with other bat 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.

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

Key Details:

• Salary: $52,000 - $70,000 (Base salary will be based upon education, professional certifications, and previous work experience), plus annual bonus.
• Start Date: Start date is flexible.
• Other Details: This position will require occasional overnight travel.

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. Other duties include conducting habitat assessments for listed bat species, writing technical reports, managing field projects and field staff, preparing scopes/budgets for proposed projects, working with clients and state and federal agencies, completing/managing pre- and post-construction avian and bat surveys at energy projects, and other field work and research as needed. 

Responsibilities include:

• Independently conduct mist-net surveys following USFWS guidelines, including site selection, determining specific net locations, radio tag attachment, telemetry, and roost emergence counts.
• Be familiar with the USFWS Range-wide Indiana bat and Northern long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines.
• Deploy common bat acoustic detector models.
• Review acoustic data collected across multiple projects to determine functionality and help troubleshoot issues with technicians in the field.
• Work independently and on a two-person team. Must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with WEST supervisors that may be off-site, including adhering to schedules and providing daily summaries of survey efforts.
• Assist in proposal writing and report writing for bat-specific studies.

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.

Requirements:

The successful candidate must be a self-starter who possesses:

• Hold, or currently on an USFWS 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. Qualifications to hold and apply for a USFWS permit can be found here: FWS ePermits Permit Application Search (https://fwsepermits.servicenowservices.com/fws?id=fws_permit_search) and include having to have had experience capturing and identifying the listed species and letters of support from those how have existing permits.
• Rabies vaccinated.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or an equivalent degree preferred.
• Candidates with previous 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 on a tablet, 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.