Biologist jobs in Holdenville, OK

Job Summary:

The Bat Biologist provides consultation and conference assistance under Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 and/or habitat conservation planning assistance under ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B) for land-based wind energy projects. The Bat Biologist may also aid with ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) Recovery Permitting, and other ESA Section 7 consultations. This individual supports a federal client in conducting technical and environmental reviews of activities affecting federally listed species, facilitating consultations, and developing streamlining tools to enhance the Section 7 process. This role involves a combination of technical expertise, policy knowledge, and effective communication skills to ensure compliance with ESA regulations and promotion of conservation strategies.

Duty Station: Oklahoma City, OK (no remote)

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Job Classification: Permanent Full Time, FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) Exempt

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

• $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per annum
• Pay commensurate with experience

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides technical and environmental review of client agency activities affecting primarily bat species to ensure compliance with ESA Section 7
• May assist in the development, review, and implementation of Habitat Conservation Planning documents under ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B) for land-based wind energy projects
• May support ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) Recovery Permitting, including preparation and review of scientific research and conservation agreements with an emphasis on bat species
• Reviews, edits, comments, and/or writes Habitat Conservation Planning documents, NEPA documents, Biological Assessments, Biological Opinions (including Incidental Take Statements and Conservation Recommendations), Recovery documents, letters, formal and informal correspondence, planning documents, monitoring plans, and emails
• Conducts literature reviews, data analysis, and prepares reports to support client biologists in developing conservation strategies, monitoring plans, and other work products related to ESA compliance
• Assists client biologists in developing streamlining tools to enhance the coordination, transparency, predictability, and accountability of Section 7 and 10 environmental reviews and authorizations
• Identifies the best available scientific and commercial data
• Collaborates with project proponents, agency personnel, and various stakeholders to provide expert guidance on species protection, habitat conservation, and project impact minimization strategies
• Contributes to recommendations on how best to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to trust resources (migratory birds, listed species, other relevant species, and their habitats)
• Conducts complex analysis and provides conclusions to client biologists, project proponents, and stakeholders
• Assists in enhancing coordination, transparency, predictability, and accountability of Section 7 and 10 environmental reviews and authorizations.
• Prepares and delivers presentations on projects, policies, or status reports.
• Attends project meetings
• This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the individual. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of ESA Section 7 and Section 10 (a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(B) consultation regulations, policy, guidance, and processes
• Knowledge of NEPA and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and environmental science/wildlife management databases
• Familiarity with analyzing the impacts of complex development projects on federally listed species and experience reviewing or writing ESA-related documents
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, project proponents, and conservation groups
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Proficient in technical writing to create clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, assessments, and correspondence
• Ability to convey complex scientific and technical information to a variety of audiences
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills

Education and Experience:

• Required: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience OR Master's degree with a minimum of 2 years of experience in Wildlife Biology, Fisheries Biology, Conservation Biology, Aquatic Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Law, or a similar field.
• Required: Sound background in and familiarity with ESA Section 7 and 10 consultation regulations, policy, guidance, and processes

• Preferred: Familiarity and experience with bat species
• Preferred: Familiarity with wind turbine projects
• Preferred: Experience reviewing and writing ESA related documents.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Travel

• Occasional overnight travel to federal client facilities on the East Coast may be required for on-site meetings, briefings, and other required activities with client staff.

Benefits:

Eligible employees receive the following benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• MDLIVE
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 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

This position may be contingent upon passing a security clearance, background check, drug screen, Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, or credit check after acceptance of an offer and prior to beginning work, due to the nature of the services Chloeta provides.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

To enforce Chloeta’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, an employee or candidate could be subject to undergoing a drug screen and/or alcohol testing during or at the beginning of employment.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Under the FCRA, Chloeta may request a credit check during the onboarding process. A written authorization form will be required before obtaining credit records.

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 privately held 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.