Remote Biologist

AECOM; California; Remote; USD 58,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM seeks an Authorized Desert Tortoise Field Biologist for field work across southern/central California deserts. This remote, on-call role requires staying near a Southern California office and conducting extensive field surveys for desert tortoise and other species, with potential vegetation mapping and habitat assessments.

You will lead pre-construction surveys, monitor burrowing owls and other listed species, and support environmental compliance while coordinating with senior staff and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology or related field.
• Approximately 4 years of relevant desert field experience.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass MVR check.
• Experience conducting biological surveys and environmental compliance monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead desert tortoise surveys and monitoring per protocol.
• Lead burrowing owl surveys and monitoring.
• Conduct surveys for other listed species and wildlife/botanical surveys.
• Assist with project environmental compliance monitoring and reporting.

Skills

Desert tortoise knowledge

Field survey experience

Regulatory compliance

Data collection tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/ecology

Tools

Fulcrum

Field Maps

GPS/GIS

Job description

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

AECOM is seeking an experienced Authorized Desert Tortoise Field Biologist in the southern/central California desert regions. This is a field-based, fully remote, on-call position requiring the ability to be local on field assignments for extended periods but linked to a Southern California-based office.

This position would support numerous natural resource projects with a focus on biological surveys and regulatory compliance monitoring primarily for desert tortoise and/or burrowing owl, with potential to assist with vegetation mapping, wildlife assessments, habitat restoration, and/or permitting implementation with support from junior biologists.

• 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.
• Utilize electronic data collection methods in the field; manage, interpret, and analyze data, as needed.
• Conduct monitoring and survey fieldwork as part of a team and independently in inland and desert environments, which can include rugged terrain.
• Work under the supervision of a senior project manager or senior-level team member.
• Elevate compliance concerns to project or construction managers.
• Provide clarification of resource project requirements to the compliance and construction teams.

Willingness to temporarily relocate to the California Desert region (including Blythe, El Centro, Palm Springs, Barstow, etc.), Authorized Desert Tortoise Biologist:

To be approved by the USFWS to conduct activities that may result in “take” of the desert tortoise, an authorized biologist should have thorough knowledge of desert tortoise behavior, natural history, and ecology, and demonstrate substantial field experience and training to successfully:

• Relocate/translocate desert tortoises prior to implementation of projects.
• Unearth and relocate desert tortoise eggs.
• Directly supervise desert tortoise monitors during clearance surveys and train monitors in all aspects of protecting desert tortoises during implementation of projects.
• Be familiar with project biological assessments and biological opinions or incidental take permits.
• Direct proper implementation of protective measures.
• Halt project activities according to the provisions of the biological opinion or permit.

Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it. AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

Bachelor’s degree in related field (biology, ecology, etc.)

• ~4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience working in desert environments within the range of the desert tortoise with raining and/or experience conducting surveys for listed species local to southern California desert regions, particularly desert tortoise and burrowing owl.
• ~ A valid driver’s license is required, along with the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check in accordance with company policy.
• ~ Experience conducting biological surveys and/or environmental compliance monitoring and biological construction oversight.
• Field experience with special status species of southern California or Nevada, and knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Substantial field experience and training to safely and successfully conduct desert tortoise surveys and monitoring.
• Substantial field experience to conduct focused burrowing owl surveys
• Familiarity with the Desert Tortoise (Mojave Population) Field Manual (USFWS 2009).
• Possess a 10(A)(1)(a) permit for listed species local to southern California and Nevada
• Familiarity with mitigation, monitoring, and reporting programs.
• Experience on construction-associated transmission and/or utility projects.
• Familiarity with regulatory and permitting requirements under the federal Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, NEPA, CEQA, and the Clean Water Act.
• Flexibility and willingness to support multiple projects as needed.
• Experience with electronic data collection (Fulcrum, Field Maps, etc.).

THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY, AND AECOM INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY JANUARY 29, 2027.

To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options , well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AECOM Technical Services IncBusiness Line: EnvironmentWork Location Model: RemoteOperating Group: AmericasPrimary Location: US - San Diego, CA - 401 West A Stre Compensation: USD 42.00 - USD 54.00 - hourly