Field Biologist - Part-time/On Call

Ornithologyexchange; California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking motivated Field Biologists for on-call positions in California's San Francisco Bay Area. This role involves conducting essential natural resource projects, including habitat assessments and wildlife surveys. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in biology or ecology, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently in diverse environments. With flexible hours and the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects, this position is perfect for those passionate about environmental conservation and community improvement.

Benefits

Flexible work schedule

Monthly telecommunication reimbursement

Mileage reimbursement

Qualifications

• Experience with jurisdictional waters/wetland delineations.
• Ability to conduct habitat and impact assessments in California.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-construction habitat assessments and wildlife surveys.
• Manage time and competing priorities in project-based work.

Skills

Field experience in environmental consulting

Plant species identification

Excellent verbal communication

Technical writing skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or related field

Advanced degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ESRI Field Maps

Survey 123

Avenza

Gaia

Job description

Welcome to the Ornithology Exchange Job Board! Help us maintain this great free resource for the ornithology community by following the guidelines below -

1. If possible, log in as a OE member before posting - this allows you to come back later to edit or remove the post.

2. Jobs must have a connection to ornithology.

3. Chose the correct category for your job. There’s a brief description of each category on that category’s page.

4. Post the text of the announcement in the box, not a PDF. This enables better searching and makes your job more visible to searchers.

5. Internships or volunteers opportunities that charge a fee for participation should be posted in the workshops and short courses section under Forums.

Multiple Field Biologist Positions (On-Call/As-Needed) – San Francisco Bay Area or Southern CA Area

Position Description

MIG, Inc. is an award-winning national firm specializing in planning, design, communications, management, science, and technology. We believe that the environment around us has a profound impact on our lives, and our shared vision is of a world where people, communities, and ecosystems thrive. For over 40 years, MIG has engaged the talents of top professionals who plan, design, and sustain communities that connect people to the environment and to each other. Our team members are passionate about their work and share a common desire to engage closely with our clients and the communities impacted by our work.

We are seeking experienced, versatile and motivated As-needed Field Biologists for on-call, project-based employment in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and southern California (Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties). This is a field-based, remote position requiring the ability to be local on assignments for extended periods but linked to a regional headquarters in San Jose. This position supports numerous natural resource projects that address all aspects of a project life cycle including pre-construction habitat assessments, wildlife and plant surveys, construction monitoring, and post-construction effectiveness monitoring. Projects are located in the human-built environment (e.g., housing, transportation, parks) as well as open space.

Experience and Qualifications for Success – What We’d Like to See

A successful candidate can manage time and competing priorities, think critically and creatively, work as part of a collaborative team, and maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie. In addition, there should be some combination of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, or related natural resources field (an advanced degree is a plus but not required).

• Relevant experience in environmental consulting, natural resource management, or a closely related field.

• Field experience and professional skills associated with a specialty, such as jurisdictional waters/wetland delineations, botanical surveys, and/or regional special-status wildlife, plant species and sensitive natural communities.

• Work experience that may include plant species identification using dichotomous keys; California wetland delineation; explaining state and federal regulatory permitting processes; aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species identification; habitat and impact assessment in California; construction monitoring/management; worker environmental awareness training, and other suitable work experience.

• Reliable personal transportation and internet access to attend staff meetings at the office or other work locations. Although telecommuting is generally encouraged, we also value in-person meetings.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of equipment or supplies (such as rodent traps, field gear, or other field equipment) across uneven terrain and install equipment above ground surfaces using a ladder.

• Be professional and organized with exceptional attention to detail, including survey protocols and budgets.

• Ability to safely conduct fieldwork in challenging terrain and difficult weather conditions as necessary.

• Excellent verbal communication and analytical and technical writing skills, including the ability to convey technical information to internal and external teams in a clear, concise manner.

• Capabilities with office and field applications including the Microsoft Office Suite and field-based data collection apps such as ESRI Field Maps, Survey 123, Avenza, or Gaia. Ability to work with various file formats (e.g., KMZ, shapefile, PDF) to navigate and collect data.

• Ability to work well with others to complete complex tasks, often pitching in on interdisciplinary planning projects, and be adaptable to self-manage and work independently.

• Compensation: On-call, as needed employees are not eligible for benefits; however, they do accrue sick leave. The pay range is $50–100/hour, commensurate with location, skills, and experience; eligible for qualified overtime pay with supervisor approval. The number of work hours per week may fluctuatewidely depending on the season, project status, and staff availability.

• Reimbursement: Monthly telecommunication reimbursement of $35 available only during a month where work was conducted. Mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicle compensated at current GSA rate (2025 = 0.70/mile).

How to Apply

If you meet these requirements and are passionate about the environment and improving our communities, we’d love to hear from you! Please email your resume and cover letter with list of project types you’ve worked on to: [emailprotected]

MIG values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Our teams enjoy a flexible work schedule, a rewarding work environment, and a creative atmosphere that allows for professional development and career advancement opportunities while promoting team spirit and camaraderie. Please make no phone calls or email inquiries. These positions are open until they are filled.

You can post now and register later.If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

× You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

You can edit or delete jobs that were posted under your account. To edit a job, scroll to the bottom of the job posting and click "Edit". To delete a job, scroll to the bottom and click the Job Actions button, then click Delete.

If you posted a job as a guest (i.e. you were not signed in), we can move the job post to your account or make any changes on your behalf. To request this, or for otherhelp, post in the Jobs Board Support forum .

If the resources provided by the Ornithology Exchange are valuable to you, please consider making a donation to support the OE, through the Ornithology Council's PayPal Link . Thank you for your support!