Desert Tortoise Field Biologist — Authorized & On-Call

AECOM; Kansas; Remote; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Authorized Desert Tortoise Field Biologist for desert regions of southern/central California. This field-based, on-call role is linked to a Southern California office and requires periodic on-site field assignments over extended periods.

The position focuses on desert tortoise and/or burrowing owl surveys, with potential for vegetation mapping, wildlife assessments and habitat restoration support in rugged desert environments.

Qualifications

• Locate, identify, report desert tortoise sign in accordance with approved protocols.
• Handle and temporarily hold desert tortoises.
• Relocate/translocate desert tortoises prior to implementation of projects.
• Excavate burrows to locate desert tortoises or eggs.

Responsibilities

• Lead protocol and pre-construction desert tortoise surveys and monitoring.
• Lead and conduct focused burrowing owl surveys and monitoring, including passive relocation.
• Lead and conduct focused American badger and desert kit fox surveys and monitoring.
• Conduct general wildlife and/or botanical surveys, including vegetation and habitat mapping.
• Identify and record native and non-native fauna and/or flora in the field.
• Conduct other special-status species surveys, following established protocols or guidelines as relevant.
• Conduct avian species nesting surveys and avian mortality monitoring.
• Support project execution, including pre-construction surveys and construction monitoring.
• Assist with environmental compliance monitoring.
• Provide oversight of restoration crew work and restoration vegetation performance monitoring.

Skills

Desert tortoise surveys

Burrowing owl surveys

Wildlife monitoring

Field data collection

Job description

AECOM is seeking an Authorized Desert Tortoise Field Biologist for desert regions of southern/central California. This field-based, on-call role is linked to a Southern California office and requires periodic on-site field assignments over extended periods.

The position focuses on desert tortoise and/or burrowing owl surveys, with potential for vegetation mapping, wildlife assessments and habitat restoration support in rugged desert environments.