Avian Biologist

Tetra Tech Technical Services, Inc. in; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible schedule

Career growth opportunities

Team collaboration

Learning and development

Job summary

Tetra Tech, Inc. is seeking a part-time Avian Biologist to support field surveys across the Upper Midwest, focusing on Champaign, Ford, and Iroquois counties in Illinois. The role centers on avian surveys following standardized protocols and meticulous data logging.

Responsibilities include identifying local bird species, collecting data, and navigating field sites using maps, GPS, and compass. Occasional travel to remote locations and varied weather are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Natural Resources, Wildlife Biology or equivalent preferred, or 2 years of experience.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant field experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Flexible scheduling due to field conditions.
• Familiarity with maps and GPS navigation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-construction avian surveys including point county and eagle surveys.
• Identify avian species by sight and sound.
• Accurately collect and record field data.
• Navigate to field sites using maps, compass, and GPS.
• Operate and troubleshoot bat acoustic detectors in the field.
• Handle data downloads from memory cards.
• Follow established field and data collection protocols.
• Work outdoors in varied and potentially harsh weather.

Skills

Bird identification

Field data collection

GPS navigation

Pre-construction survey methods

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Biology, or related field

Tools

GPS unit

Compass

Binoculars

Tablets

Digital cameras

Job description

The Opportunity

Tetra Tech is looking for a part-time Avian Biologist to work project sites in the Upper Midwest, specifically in Champaign, Ford, and Iroquois counties, Illinois.

Position Summary

The selected candidate will provide field support for avian surveys as part of ongoing environmental assessments at proposed wind farms locations in the Upper Midwest. Field biologists will be responsible for avian surveys adhering to standardized protocols and keeping detailed field data sheets.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are considered essential to the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Conduct pre-construction avian point county surveys, eagle use surveys, eagle nest surveys consistent with USFWS Land-based Wind Energy Guidelines and Eagle Conservation Guidelines.
• Accurately identify local avian species by sight and sound.
• Accurately collect and record data.
• Navigate to and within sites with field maps, compass, and GPS.
• Troubleshoot bat acoustic detectors in the field.
• Retrieve and download bat acoustic data memory cards.
• Follow field and data collection protocols.
• Work outdoors in potentially harsh weather conditions and rugged terrain (i.e., extreme heat or cold, high winds, all forms of precipitation).

Why Tetra Tech

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 60 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Your Impact

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or an equivalent degree preferred but not required. In lieu of a degree, 2 years of experience is required.

Minimum 1 year of experience.

Excellent communicator, both written and verbal.

Demonstrated ability to operate independently with limited supervision as well as part of a team.

Demonstrated ability to successfully support complex and time sensitive projects and resolve issues in a timely manner.

Able to have flexibility in scheduling due to changing field conditions.

Familiarity with maps and be able to navigate with maps and/or GPS.

Familiar with and competent using compass, GPS, binoculars, tablets and digital cameras.

In addition, the following is required:

• Driving on a regular basis. Passing a motor vehicle record background check and maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience conducting pre-construction avian point county surveys, eagle use surveys, eagle nest surveys consistent with USFWS Land-based Wind Energy Guidelines and Eagle Conservation Guidelines.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Able to walk around project sites and able to carry up to 20 pounds of equipment such as scopes, maps, GPS unit, and cameras during field work.

Comfortable in harsh weather conditions and rugged terrain (i.e., extreme heat or cold, high winds, all forms of precipitation).

• The work environment will consist of field work in remote locations and include areas of uneven terrain.
• Field activities take place in a variety of weather conditions and can occur in remote locations and include areas of uneven terrain.
• Field work requiring overnight travel will be required.
  

Additional Information

This part-time position requires 100% travel.

Overtime hours, including nights and weekends may be required based on project needs.

The work will be performed mainly in the field, with limited office work.

Driving on a regular basis. Passing a motor vehicle record background check and maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record is required.

Life at Tetra Tech

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
• Merit-based financial rewards.
• Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.

Benefits

Tetra Tech offers a basic core medical plan and our 401k retirement plan for this position.

The rate of pay for this position is $21.00 - $28.00 per hour depending on education, experience, skills, and location.

Health and safety play a vital role in our success. Tetra Tech’s employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including any public health orders and regulations that are mandated by local, state, provincial, federal, and international authorities as well as client and project requirements.

Qualifications - External

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. Our 25,000 employees work together to provide clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.