Merjent, Inc., an environmental consulting firm in Minneapolis, MN, is seeking a Bat Biologist/Project Manager with a valid USFWS Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Permit (i.e., Federal Permit) and associated state collection permit(s), or the ability to obtain appropriate state permits, to join our amazing team of consultants specializing in energy projects. Details are as follows:
position summary
In this position, the Bat Biologist/Project Manager will work independently and/or as part of a team conducting and overseeing ecological surveys and reporting in support of utility, transportation, and development projects primarily throughout the United States. Primary duties include conducting and/or overseeing acoustic or mist-net surveys for bats; analyzing bat recordings; organizing data; producing reports documenting findings; overseeing bat crew deployment. Additionally, you will assist managing wetland and stream delineations; threatened & endangered species surveys; functional assessments; habitat assessments; vegetation surveys; wildlife surveys; and associated reporting. The work environment will consist of office (in-person or remote), urban, rural, and remote field settings, which may include work in adverse weather conditions, and in some instances, irregular and/or steep terrain. Compensation is competitive dependent upon experience. The percentage of office to field work will be dependent on applicant qualifications and workload. The ideal ratio will be 30% field and 70% office.
responsibilities
- Oversee crew deployment during the field season and assist with providing strategic development of the program
- Maintaining, managing, and deploying bat acoustic equipment. Deployment of equipment often requires travel and is seasonal in nature
- Collecting, organizing, managing, and analyzing acoustic data, including but not limited to noise removal, species identification, and activity index calculation
- Demonstrated experience with, and knowledge of, bat acoustic analysis, including manual vetting and identification of Endangered Species Act-listed species (e.g., Indiana bat [Myotis sodalis])
- Demonstrated aptitude in the R program
- Demonstrated experience using bat call analysis software (e.g., Kaleidoscope Pro, AnalookW, Sonobat, and BCID)
- Experience conducting bat capture and tracking surveys
- Experience building a known call library
- Working knowledge of bat survey techniques, conservation issues, and distribution and habitat requirements
- Writing technical acoustic reports for client and regulatory agency review
- Collect, record, manage, and analyze geospatial data using Trimble and ESRI products
- Prepare technical reports and memos
- Development of technical documents for project planning and permitting
- Support proposal development for ecological tasks
qualifications
- Bachelor degree or higher in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related degree in addition to 5 or more years of applicable experience
- Valid USFWS Endangered and Threatened Species Recovery Permit (i.e., Federal Permit) and associated state collection permit(s), or ability to obtain appropriate state permits
- Demonstrated field experience with bat species of the eastern and central U.S. and appropriate survey techniques
- Demonstrated experience with task and/or project management
Candidates interested in applying should submit a completed Application for Employment to https://merjent.applicantpro.
Merjent, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the application process are available upon request.