Senior Consultant, Permitted Bat Biologist, Natural Resources

ERM; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Senior Consultant, Permitted Bat Biologist in the Natural Resources practice. The role focuses on leading bat surveys, guiding clients through NEPA/ESA processes, and advancing renewable energy projects with ecological responsibility.

The position requires a valid USFWS Section 10 permit for bat mist-netting, 4+ years of field experience, and proficiency in acoustic surveys, data analysis, and report writing. Travel across multiple project sites is expected as part of fieldwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Valid USFWS Section 10 permit for bat mist-netting surveys in the Eastern USA.
• 4+ years of experience conducting bat surveys and managing related tasks.
• Expertise in mist-netting, radio telemetry, and roost emergence counts.
• Familiarity with acoustic bat surveys and associated software.
• Strong technical writing and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead mist-netting and radio-telemetry surveys for protected bat species.
• Oversee acoustic surveys and review acoustic data.
• Develop survey protocols, budgets, and proposals.
• Conduct desktop site reviews and submit permit applications.
• Analyze data and prepare high-quality reports for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure compliance with NEPA, ESA, and other environmental regulations.
• Maintain rigorous quality control standards across all deliverables.

Skills

Bat surveys

Mist-netting

Radio telemetry

Acoustic surveys

Technical writing

Data analysis

Field travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/ecology/natural resources

Master's degree in biology or related discipline

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS-based survey equipment

Statistical analysis

Job description

Why This Role Matters

Ready to take your career to the next level? Join ERM and help us deliver innovative solutions that protect biodiversity while powering progress. If you're an experienced bat biologist with a passion for conservation and renewable energy, this is your chance to make a measurable impact. ERM is a global leader in environmental consulting, and we're looking for a seasoned professional to help shape the future of sustainable infrastructure projects across the Great Plains and Midwest. Your expertise will directly influence how major capital projects - from wind farms to transmission lines - balance progress with ecological responsibility.

What Your Impact Is

As a Senior Consultant, Permitted Bat Biologist, Natural Resources, you'll play a key role in growing our business in our Nashville, Charleston (WV), Indianapolis, St Louis, or Charlotte offices. You'll lead critical surveys, guide clients through complex regulatory landscapes, and ensure projects meet environmental standards without compromising timelines. Your work will protect endangered species while enabling renewable energy growth - making you a key player in the transition to a low-carbon future.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Valid USFWS Section 10 permit for bat mist-netting surveys in the Eastern USA.
• 4+ years of experience conducting bat surveys and managing related tasks.
• Expertise in mist-netting, radio telemetry, and roost emergence counts.
• Familiarity with acoustic bat surveys and associated software.
• Strong technical writing and data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic environments.

Driver's License Required

This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area. Willingness to travel and conduct fieldwork in potentially remote areas for extended periods, including overnight travel. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Master's degree in biology or related discipline.
• Experience with ArcGIS, GPS-based survey equipment, and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of NEPA, ESA Section 7 & 10, and state-level environmental reviews.
• Previous work on renewable energy, transmission, or pipeline projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mist-netting and radio-telemetry surveys for protected bat species.
• Oversee acoustic surveys and review acoustic data.
• Develop survey protocols, budgets, and proposals.
• Conduct desktop site reviews and submit permit applications.
• Analyze data and prepare high-quality reports for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure compliance with NEPA, ESA, and other environmental regulations.
• Maintain rigorous quality control standards across all deliverables.

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world's leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world's largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. Our diverse global team of experts works with the world's leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it). Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action. Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a "boots to boardroom" leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world. We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth. At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.