Junior Wildlife Biologist

Landhawk Consulting LLC; Pharr (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Paid travel time

Housing accommodations

Job summary

Landhawk Consulting LLC seeks motivated entry-level Junior Wildlife Biologists for environmental compliance projects in South Texas. The role is centered on biological resource investigations, species surveys, and compliance, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley region.

Applicants should have a degree in Wildlife Biology, strong skills in survey methodologies, and the ability to work independently in challenging environments. Offered positions may include competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Environmental Science, or closely related field.
• 2 years of experience in MBTA and T&E surveys or environmental monitoring (preferred).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biological survey methodologies as per guidelines.
• Support compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Document and report site issues effectively.

Skills

Bird identification surveys

Habitat suitability evaluations

Environmental compliance monitoring

Strong communication skills

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s in Wildlife Biology or related field

Job description

About the Role

Landhawk Consulting LLC is seeking motivated and experienced entry-level Junior Wildlife Biologists (also referred to as Jr. Wildlife Biologist) to support ongoing biological resource investigations, threatened and endangered species surveys, and environmental compliance projects throughout South Texas, with a primary focus on the RGV region and surroundings.

The successful candidate will support and be trained to conduct Migratory Bird Treaty Act surveys, Threatened & Endangered Species surveys, relocation efforts, habitat assessments, and environmental compliance monitoring associated with riverine and riparian systems in South Texas. Current and anticipated projects primarily involve environmental compliance support and biological monitoring associated with linear infrastructure projects, including activities occurring adjacent to and over water within active river corridors and riparian environments.

This position will focus heavily on biologically threatened and endangered species within the Rio Grande Valley region and its surroundings. Responsibilities may include species identification support, relocation monitoring, habitat suitability evaluations, biological resource documentation, and coordination with project teams to support environmental compliance requirements during active construction activities.

Preference will be given to candidates with direct experience conducting bird identification surveys, relocation efforts, habitat suitability evaluations, species monitoring, or environmental compliance support within the Texas region. Experience working with biologically threatened and endangered species and projects involving linear infrastructure crossings, riparian access, and in-stream monitoring is highly desirable. As well as natural monitoring or pedestrian surveys within the Texas Southwest border region.

Candidates should demonstrate relevant professional or academic experience involving MBTA and T&E surveys, identification, relocation support, or environmental compliance monitoring associated with biologically threatened and endangered species.

Location

This position is based in the Rio Grande Valley, with field assignments occurring throughout South Texas and nearby river systems. Landhawk Consulting may hire for several long-term positions in support of ongoing and anticipated biological resource projects within the region. Preference will be given to candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the RGV region. Rotational field schedules may be considered for qualified candidates depending on project needs, staffing demands, and project duration.

Schedule

Field schedules will generally aim to maintain routine Monday through Friday operations; however, assignments may include rotational schedules aligned with active construction activities, extended field deployments, weekend surveys, and emergency response activities as needed.

Employment Type

Full Time

Responsibilities

Core On-Site Leadership & Field Operations

• Maintain an active on-site presence for biological observations, species identification, relocation, and buffer implementation.
• Conduct biological survey methodologies in accordance with senior leadership guidelines to ensure accurate and consistent execution across all active project fronts.
• Working closely with the GIS team to review, track, and validate spatial data, survey tracks, and monitoring coverage before reporting.
• Conduct physically demanding fieldwork across remote or environmentally challenging terrains (dense vegetation, riparian corridors, and arid landscapes under high temperatures) involving extended deployments and weekend work.

Compliance & Environmental Support

• Direct field efforts regarding threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; confirm identification and take action according to Landhawk’s guidelines.
• Support and transition to conducting compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by verifying active nest identifications, confirming nest status, managing appropriate protective buffers, and reporting according to Landhawk’s guidelines.
• Support and transition to conducting natural monitoring evaluation of habitat conditions, vegetation communities, and wildlife presence to identify environmental sensitivities that may impact project schedules and report according to Landhawk’s guidelines.
• Support environmental compliance by observing and documenting Best Management Practices (BMPs) during environmental monitoring.

Documentation & Reporting

• Document and report general site issues, such as but not limited to improper waste disposal, equipment discharges, or washout conditions, to the appropriate personnel.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and structured daily monitoring reports (DMRs) that reflect construction activity and field conditions.
• Ensure all documentation meets Landhawk’s standards and project-specific requirements to provide reliable, defensible data.
• Maintain logs of unresolved issues across reporting periods, including initial observation dates and follow-up status.
• Work closely with Project Managers, environmental staff, and subcontractors to ensure coordinated field operations.
• Provide timely notification to leadership regarding observations or concerns requiring immediate attention.

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant professional or academic regional expertise in the flora and fauna of the Southwest Border region of Texas.
• Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, or a closely related natural resource field.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience is preferred (but not necessary) in MBTA and T&E surveys, environmental monitoring, and identifying sensitive species from the Southwest Border region of Texas.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision in remote field settings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent technical writing and documentation abilities.
• Ability to work long field days in high-temperature South Texas conditions.
• Comfortable working within rivers, riparian corridors, uneven and tough terrain.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and clean driving record.
• Ability to travel for extended or multi-day assignments as needed.
• Ability to begin work immediately is strongly preferred.
• Experience working safely around active construction equipment, moving water, uneven substrates, and remote field conditions.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive hourly or salaried compensation based on experience.
• Potential housing accommodations or rotational scheduling for long-term assignments.
• Paid travel time, mileage reimbursement, and applicable per diem.
• Opportunities for advancement and professional development.
• Opportunity to contribute to biological conservation and environmental compliance projects throughout Texas and the Southwest.