About Us:
Felidae Conservation Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to the research and protection of wild cats worldwide, with a focus on the 40 species at risk due to human activities. Our innovative research projects, like the Bay Area Puma Project (BAPP), explore the challenges faced by native pumas and bobcats in urban environments. We also engage local communities through education and outreach efforts to promote wild cat conservation.

Position Summary:
We are seeking a full-time contract wildlife biologist to help lead BAPP’s fieldwork and data collection activities. The position involves field work, managing volunteers, conducting outreach, and working with data to support conservation initiatives. The biologist will work independently and as part of a small, passionate team based in the Bay Area, with a mix of fieldwork, office tasks, and remote work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead fieldwork across the Bay Area (Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, East Bay counties) to set up and maintain camera traps and assist with puma and bobcat fecal surveys
• Onboard and train new volunteers for fieldwork, data entry, and social media tasks
• Maintain communication with volunteers and staff (via Slack, email)
• Summarize data for grant/permit reports and applications
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners and strategic partners
• Respond to public inquiries on mountain lions, bobcats, and human-wildlife conflicts
• Contribute to outreach efforts, including public presentations, social media, and website content
• Manage our public-facing sightings map submissions and interfacing with the public

Qualifications:

• BSc in wildlife biology or related field (MS preferred)
• Previous field experience collecting ecological data
• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with camera traps and wildlife health monitoring
• Familiarity with data analysis tools, including ArcGIS, QGIS, R, or similar platforms
• Knowledge of SF Bay Area wildlife species and ecosystems
• Interest in contributing to scientific manuscripts and literature reviews

Additional Information:

• Must be based in the SF Bay Area with access to reliable transportation (a vehicle is required for fieldwork)
• US residency and a valid CA driver’s license are required
• Salary is commensurate with experience