Bat Survey Technician

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; Bloomington (IL); Remote; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic consulting firm as a Bat Survey Technician, where you'll embark on an exciting journey conducting vital bat surveys across the U.S. This role requires a passion for wildlife and the environment, as you will work in teams to track and study endangered bat species. With responsibilities that include using advanced telemetry equipment and collecting critical data, you will play a key role in ecological studies that impact communities and conservation efforts. If you thrive in outdoor settings and are eager to contribute to meaningful projects, this temporary position offers a unique opportunity to make a difference while enjoying the great outdoors during the summer months.

Benefits

Housing provided

Travel expenses covered

Per diem

Flexible schedule

Qualifications

• Field experience with radio telemetry or acoustic surveys preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Conduct telemetry surveys and roost emergence counts for bat species.
• Travel continuously and work long hours in varying conditions.

Skills

Radio telemetry

Field data collection

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Biology

Tools

Radio telemetry receivers

GPS devices

Digital cameras

Tablets

Job description

Job Title: Bat Survey Technician

Compensation: $18.00 - $21.00 DOE

Job Classification: Hourly

Location: Bloomington, IN 47401 US (Primary)

Job Type: Temporary

# of Hires Needed: 2

Job Description:

Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. (WEST), a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada, is looking for a temporary full-time Bat Survey Technician to conduct traveling bat surveys across the northern long-eared bat, Indiana bat, and tricolored bat ranges within the U.S.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. Our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.

Compensation: $18.00 – $21.00 per hour, DOE

Housing: Housing in the form of hotels and/or rental houses provided along with other travel expenses including rental vehicle, gas, and per diem are covered.

Location: Continuous travel across the US

Start Date: Approximately May 1, 2025

End Date: Approximately August 31, 2025

Job Summary:

• Able to travel continuously throughout threatened and endangered bat ranges across the US working on a two-person crew to conduct telemetry surveys for targeted bat species at proposed development projects.
• Duties include tracking tagged bats in roosting and foraging habitat via radio telemetry, conducting roost emergence counts, organizing equipment, thorough and accurate data collection, organization, and uploading data.
• Depending on project availability and personal experience, additional duties may include conducting other bat-focused surveys (e.g., performing emergence counts, conducting acoustic surveys).
• Able to work independently and in a team, interact professionally and respectfully with project managers, clients, landowners, and other technicians, and take direction from supervisors.
• Must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with WEST supervisors and bat biologists, including adhering to schedules and completing surveys.
• Able to travel continuously from May – August with hours per week varying depending on weather conditions with overtime provided. Estimated 40-60 hours per week.
• Ability to adhere to a flexible schedule.

Responsibilities Include:

• Use of radio telemetry receivers, global positioning system devices, maps, compass, tablet and digital cameras as well as the ability to maintain equipment.
• Conduct field work while adhering to WEST and client field safety requirements.
• Participate in WEST weekly health and safety calls and adhere to WEST safety protocols.
• Job requires the person filling this position to be able to appear for work on time; working long hours; hiking in adverse conditions with small to moderate loads.
• Follow instructions from project managers and field supervisors and interact effectively with coworkers and clients.

Job Requirements:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or an equivalent degree preferred; undergraduates or other enthusiastic workers are encouraged to apply.
• Candidates with field experience related to radio telemetry, or acoustic surveys will be given preference.

Physical Requirements:

• Applicants must be in good physical shape, as surveys will be conducted in locations where temperatures and conditions can be challenging, difficult, and uncomfortable.
• Field work will entail hiking with up to 30 pounds of field equipment in varying terrain, sometimes in inclement conditions.
• Must be able to walk from 10-15 miles a day in a hot humid environment.

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