Biologist jobs in Salem, OR

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The minimum base salary is $50,000 for an Associate Biologist, plus annual bonus. Salary may vary based on education, knowledge and experience.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be an energetic, regionally experienced wildlife biologist or botanist that will work on a variety of tasks in support of a diverse suite of projects throughout the western US. Tasks may vary from conducting field surveys to assisting with proposal development and drafting of reports. We envision a team member with renewable energy experience that can immediately assist with new and ongoing project work, with an emphasis on the coordination of project logistics (e.g., hiring and training field staff, scheduling of field work, data QAQC), but also capable of assisting with report preparation (e.g., project reports, Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies, Eagle Conservation Plans, Site Characterization Studies), and other office related tasks.

Job Requirements:

The team member is expected to work well both individually and with teams of natural resource specialists, scientists and biometricians to:

• Coordinate field-related work for both Pre-construction and Post-construction renewable energy projects.
• Conduct field-related work including: avian use surveys (i.e., avian point count surveys), set up and maintenance of acoustic bat monitoring equipment, land cover mapping, raptor nest surveys, standardized fatality searches to locate bird and bat fatalities, and scheduling and conducting bias trials for fatality monitoring projects.
• Conduct training for field technicians on relevant field protocols
• Organize and review field data
• Draft technical memos and reports
• Conduct other field work as needed and experience allows

Primary Job Functions

• Willingness to travel and conduct field work as-needed (typically 1-10 days at a time)
• Assist in the day to day administration of projects
• Hire and train field staff
• Setup, supervise, and direct field studies
• Track project schedules and budgets
• Organize and review field data
• Provide quality assurance of data
• Technical writing to prepare draft reports and proposals

• Promote health and safety and WEST core values

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive all the duties that may be associated with this position.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The successful candidate(s) must be a self-starter who possesses:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biological studies, natural resources, wildlife management, wildlife biology, botany, or equivalent.
  • A master’s degree in a natural resource related field, or equivalent job experience is preferred
  • Avian and/or bat ecology are the primary areas of technical expertise sought, but experience in wetland delineation and/or plant identification are also desired.
• Background in natural resource fieldwork with key abilities that include:
  • Wildlife biology, avian and bat identification, botany, and/or wetlands technical knowledge
  • Field experience
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements for natural resources issues in the western states (CA, NV, OR, WA, ID, AZ, NM)
  • Experience managing field staff (both directly and remotely)
  • Proven experience with technical writing and/or review and technical editing of proposals, study plans, project reports, or management plans
  • Familiarity / experience with GIS
• Previous professional experience in environmental consulting desired
  • Familiarity with the renewable energy sector preferred
  • Understanding of basic statistical analysis for natural resources work
• A track record of maintaining positive relationships with coworkers, clients, and/or stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee and/or work on multiple unrelated tasks simultaneously in an organized and efficient manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

WEST is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for everyone and highly recommends all prospective hires be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their start date. While WEST does not currently require vaccinations, please be aware that WEST has a mandatory vaccination policy in place should local, state or federal law require vaccinations. Additionally, WEST has certain clients that require all personnel to be vaccinated prior to working on their projects, so individuals will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination prior to working on those projects. As an exception, employees may also request a Medical or Religious exemption from the vaccine requirement and the request must be supported by a doctor for a medical exemption or by a statement from the employee outlining a sincerely held belief to qualify for a religious exemption. Please contact us if you have any questions.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.