Environmental Compliance Monitor and Designated Biologist BUOW - Valley, CA

Overview

Location(s): Central Valley, CA
Practice/Department: Compliance
Work Environment: Field
Compensation: $ hourly*

Who You Are

You are accountable, safe‑oriented, and collaborative, and you are curious and solution‑oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact

As a mid‑ to senior‑level biologist, you will qualify as a designated biologist for burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and provide environmental construction and biological resource monitoring services on current construction projects in the Fresno area of Central Valley, California. The position will be year‑round for at least the next year, with additional projects potentially on the horizon. You should have demonstrated experience in Central Valley biological resources, including special‑status wildlife species, rare plants, and aquatic resources.

The key requirements for burrowing owl experience are:

• Protocol level burrowing owl surveys using the 2012 CDFW staff report protocol.
• Burrow mapping on digital media (phone or iPad).
• Burrowing owl monitoring experience at various life stages.
• Construction monitoring under a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) incidental take permit for any species.
• Burrow avoidance (buffer installation with support of the construction team).
• Documented experience of excavation of BUOW burrows under a CDFW approved Burrowing Owl passive relocation plan.
• Burrow blocking, including one‑way door passive relocation, completed under an ITP or a passive relocation plan.
• Writing of BUOW plans and reports (mortality reduction plan, burrow replacement plan, survey reporting).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with construction crews and project managers to document compliance levels related to associated project environmental permits.
• Complete construction surveys and focused resource surveys.
• Oversee the installation and maintenance of environmental exclusion fencing, wildlife fencing, and material and waste management.
• Familiarity with construction operations and equipment. Identify heavy equipment and describe practices occurring at a job site.
• Collaborate with construction personnel and project managers to develop solutions while implementing permit conditions.
• Record and take notes of any observations on a Dudek platform for reporting purposes.
• Manage personal workload weekly and communicate with project managers and field schedulers about field work availability.
• Follow all Dudek and construction site safety protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a BA/BS degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, or other related field, OR at least 3 years of field experience in construction compliance monitoring.
• Ability to complete construction and focused resource surveys.
• Access to a reliable vehicle; company‑owned pool vehicles are provided on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
• Valid driver’s license and active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment.

Species Experience Required

• Burrowing owl.

Other Species Desired

• California red‑legged frog
• San Joaquin kit fox
• California tiger salamander
• Large listed branchiopods

Preferred Qualifications

• Permits from CDFW (SCP or MOU) for Crotch’s bumble bee or foothill yellow‑legged frog.
• Species survey or monitoring experience with Crotch’s bumble bee, foothill yellow‑legged frog, western pond turtle, giant garter snake, Swainson’s hawk, or any state or federally listed species.
• Experience with GPS/GIS mobile applications (Arc Field Maps, ESRI Arc Map).
• Experience with Survey
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• Preferably 3+ years in the Northern CA area in biological resources.
• Previous approvals from CDFW and/or USFWS as an approved biological monitor or designated biologist.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of environmental regulations.
• Highly organized with the ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑motivated and eager to learn and grow as part of a project team.
• Certifications in sediment and erosion control.
• Certifications in dust monitoring.
• Proficiency in noise monitoring.
• Qualified biologist to survey and monitor special‑status wildlife and…