Biologist

Job Summary

The Biologist assists in the biological assessment process, conducting field assessments, species surveys, and data analysis to assess potential impacts on endangered species and essential fish habitat for a federal client. The successful candidate will play a key role in conducting a Biological Assessment for Section 7 consultation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation of the Section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson Stevens Act. The project aims to provide technical assistance to local communities to mitigate threats to life and property caused by natural disasters in the watershed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Job Classification: 1099 contract

Duty Station: Ventura County, CA

Compensation

Chloeta reserves the right to offer any candidate above or below the listed compensation amount based on experience or business needs.

• $25-$38/hour

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts field assessments, species surveys, and habitat evaluations to identify and assess potential impacts on endangered species and essential fish habitat.
• Collects and analyzes biological data, including species presence/absence, population trends, and habitat characteristics.
• Interprets and applies relevant federal and state regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Magnuson Stevens Act, and other environmental laws and policies.
• Collaborates with project team members, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and project objectives.
• Prepares technical reports and other project documentation in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Provides technical expertise and guidance to project managers and other team members on biological issues and mitigation measures.
• Participates in project meetings and site visits as needed.
• This Position Description (PD) is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee; Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Experience with flora and fauna local to Ventura County is required, species of concern are:
  • CA Southern steelhead
  • CA red‐legged frog
  • Western pond turtle
  • Southwestern willow flycatcher
  • Least bells vireo
• Strong knowledge of federal and California state environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Experience conducting fieldwork in local ecosystems, including wetlands, riparian areas, and upland habitats.
• Proficiency in species identification, habitat mapping, and ecological monitoring techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, ecology, or related field from an accredited university
• Preferred: Master’s degree
• Required: This individual should have expertise in relevant regulations such as the Endangered Species Act and Magnuson Stevens Act.
• Preferred: Professional certifications (e.g., Certified Wildlife Biologist, Professional Wetland Scientist) are a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, etc.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive the following benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• MDLIVE
• Paid Annual Leave/PTO
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Pre-employment Requirements

Due to the nature of Chloeta’s services, this position is contingent upon completing with a satisfactory outcome some or all of the following pre-employment background screenings: government security clearance, federal and state criminal background checks, drug test (urinalysis), Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, educational history, employment history, and/or credit check. In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), pre-employment background screenings will require the employee’s written authorization and will occur after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to commencing work. Additionally, employees are required to complete the federal I-9/E-Verify process.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy

Employees may be subject to undergoing additional drug screens and/or alcohol testing at any time during the period of employment, including without prior notice.

EEO Statement

Chloeta provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

About Chloeta

Chloeta is a Native American owned enterprise providing a diverse range of engineering, scientific, and technical solutions to support military, energy, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure requirements.