Biologist Contractor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a Field Wildlife Biologist (Biologist II) to help deliver some of California's most critical broadband infrastructure projects. We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable individual to join our group of environmental professionals within our Natural Resources team. *This is a primary field-based, on-call position, meaning hours will vary based off of project needs.
This position will be based out of our Sacramento or Bakersfield, CA offices. Candidates should be local to those areas due to travel and field work projects, as the role would support client projects based primarily in the Central Valley region.
The position would focus on natural resources assessment and environmental compliance support for biological and aquatic resources, with a focus on construction monitoring and natural resource field surveys.
The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Surveys for special-status wildlife and suitable habitat areas.
• Field surveys to identify aquatic resources including vernal pool complexes.
• Preparation of brief memoranda documenting survey results.
• Pre-construction surveys for listed plant and wildlife species and nesting birds.
• Leading on-site natural resources Worker Environmental Awareness Program training for construction contractors on various projects.
• Monitoring during construction activities for compliance with environmental requirements and permits, including coordination and communication with the AECOM leadership team, client, construction contractor, and agency personnel.
• Production of daily monitoring logs to summarize work activities and compliance.
• Participation as an active and positive member of AECOM's Environmental Planning and Permitting practice in California.
• Travel to areas between Sacramento and Bakersfield will be required. Work will require commitment to short-term assignments. Overnight travel may be required.

About AECOM's Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it. We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.
AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world's most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, Ecology, or a related field.
• 2 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in construction monitoring, environmental inspection, habitat assessments, and biological surveys.
• Valid U.S. Driver License is required for this position.
• Independent travel will be required.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4 years of relevant experience.
• Experience surveying for special-status species, particularly blunt nose leopard lizard (Level 2 preferred), giant garter snake, California tiger salamander, and western spadefoot. 10(a)1(A) permit for listed wildlife including California tiger salamander and giant garter snake is not required but preferred.
• Knowledgeable about common and special-status wildlife species that occur in the Central Valley and Central Coast regions of California, including experience conducting surveys and monitoring for such species.
• Experience as a construction monitor tasked with leading WEAPs, working with construction contractors, and implementing avoidance and minimization measures for plant and wildlife species and surface waters.
• Experience identifying vernal pools.
• Experience surveying for and identifying vernal pool species.
• Skilled in California rare plant identification.
• Experience with field data collection tools such as ArcGIS Field Maps and Fulcrum.
• Has a positive attitude and is adaptable to changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment and working safely in hot and cold environments with potential long days.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information

• Relocation is not available for this position.
• THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY, AND AECOM INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY NOVEMBER 4, 2026.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.