Staff Biologist - Bats

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Staff Bat Biologist to join our growing bat biology program. SWCA’s purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today, and our bat biology program is a critical component of fulfilling that purpose. Our team performs several types of bat surveys throughout the country with work in many market sectors.

This position will be assisting in bat acoustic and other biological survey work in the Houston, Texas area. A key element of your job will be to independently supervise survey crews in the field. This is a regular status (with benefits), full time position. Candidates local to the Houston, Texas area and familiarity with SE USA fauna are strongly preferred.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What You Will Accomplish

• Support on a field survey crew for bat survey projects throughout Texas and potentially neighboring states.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and consistent execution of bat surveys for our client, including bat acoustic data collection.
• Conduct surveys and field data collection, processing, and analysis, primarily for bats, but occasionally for other wildlife natural resources.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to determine exact locations of project areas, habitat types, and associated landforms.
• Drive 4WD vehicles in rugged terrain.
• Conduct habitat assessments and site characterization studies.
• Prepare reports and study plans describing survey methodologies and results.
• Assist with Endangered Species Act compliance coordination.

Experience And Qualifications For Success

• Minimum of B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of demonstrated field experience with bat species, including study design and bat acoustic data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Documentation of current rabies vaccination or willing to obtain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Field experience with bat species of the Southeast USA.
• Avian or other wildlife survey experience is a plus.
• Experience preparing scientific reports and environmental permitting documentation.

Additional Information

• Ability to conduct fieldwork for long hours in inclement weather conditions
• Ability to walk up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain. May have to carry equipment and/or supplies, weighing up to 40 pounds
• Extensive travel (70%+) and night work may be required during the summer months
• This is a leadership role in the program, and the intention is to create a balance of office and field work, but travel may be required depending on the overall workload and schedule

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Houston, TX-based position can expect an hourly rate between $21.53-$27.83/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.