Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking to fill a full-time Wildlife – Power Interactions Specialist position focused on avian and power infrastructure interactions. The ideal candidate will have experience in assessing risk to birds and to power operations from bird contacts on power lines and in substations that may result in bird electrocutions, collisions, line faults, and system outages. Position involves working with new and existing power line and substation designs relative to bird use in and around conventional and renewable energy generation. Candidates with previous experience working with the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee’s (APLIC’s) 2006 and 2012 Suggested Practices to minimize avian electrocution and collision risks, respectively and familiarity with applicable regulatory legislation protecting birds will be a requirement for the position. Candidates may either hold a wildlife biology degree, have experience working with power line operations, or have an engineering background, with the focus on science-based approaches to enhance bird protection and power system reliability.

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: The minimum base salary is $66,000-$85,000 DOE, plus annual bonus. Salary is based on education, knowledge, and experience.

Job Summary:

Candidates must have introductory knowledge, as well as applied project experience, in bird and power infrastructure interactions specific to assessing potential risk of bird electrocution on power lines and in substations, bird collision risk with overhead power lines, and power line or substation design elements to minimize this risk. Knowledge of avian biology, power line operations, and regulatory drivers is a minimum criterion, and familiarity with APLIC and the ability to work with utility engineering, operations, and environmental will be key in assessing job candidates. Substation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities Include:

This position will entail working individually, as well as with a team of natural resource specialists, scientists, and biometricians.

• Utility industry liaison, ranging from small rural electric cooperatives through larger investor-owned utilities; comfort with communicating with utilities on various topics.
• Staying informed on APLIC, evolving Suggested Practices, and how these relate to utility planning, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Staying informed on federal and state agency regulatory requirements under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
• Avian Protection Plan (APP) development.
• Willingness to learn and apply species-specific habitats and bird behavior with engineering design specific to power lines (all voltages) and substations to minimize bird contacts and enhance system reliability.
• Working with the team in conducting avian collision risk assessments with overhead power lines.
• Working on eagle compensatory mitigation program development.
• Working to help study and minimize bird contacts on power lines to prevent wildfire incidents.
• Interest in possible avian and power infrastructure research in conjunction with WEST’s other divisions.
• Occasionally attend and present at professional conferences or workshops.
• Occasional field surveys.
• Interest in long-term professional growth at WEST.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of the duties that may be associated with this position. 

Requirements:

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

• Either:
  • (1) minimum Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, wildlife management, wildlife biology, or equivalent degree with 2-5 years’ experience with utility operations, OR
  • (2) minimum engineering degree with 2-5 years professional experience with utility operations and bird-related planning, OR
  • (3) minimum of a position with an electric utility’s Operations Division with 2-5 years professional experience with utility operations and bird-related planning.
• Strong, competent writing skills with close attention to detail and accurate reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with an ability to work closely with the team.
• Ability to follow instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive critique.

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.