Contract Desert Tortoise Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SpecPro is seeking an experienced U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved Mojave Desert Tortoise Health Assessment Biologist to support the Desert Tortoise Translocation and Monitoring Program at Fort Irwin, California.
The selected candidate will conduct pre-translocation health assessments, collect biological samples, document clinical findings, and translocation activities in accordance with applicable USFWS procedures, project-specific permits, approved translocation plans, and contract requirements.
Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive Mojave Desert Tortoise health assessments in accordance with current USFWS procedures and project-specific authorizations.
• Identify and document signs of upper respiratory tract disease, shell disease, trauma, dehydration, malnutrition, ocular or nasal discharge, oral lesions, and other abnormalities.
• Safely capture, handle, restrain, process, and release Mojave Desert Tortoises while minimizing stress.
• Collect biological samples as authorized, including blood, nasal lavage, oral or nasal swabs, cloacal swabs, fecal samples, or other diagnostic materials.
• Properly label, preserve, store, package, and transfer samples in accordance with laboratory and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Implement approved sanitation, disinfection, and biosecurity procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
• Immediately report significant clinical findings, mortalities, injuries, disease concerns, or protocol deviations.
• Coordinate with Program Managers and Field Leads
• Verify tortoise identification using transmitters, PIT tags, photographs, and project databases.
• Collect and maintain accurate field data using GPS, tablets, Survey123, ArcGIS, spreadsheets, and approved databases.
• Complete health assessment forms, sample logs, chain-of-custody records, laboratory submission forms, field notes, and daily production summaries.
• Follow all applicable USFWS, CDFW, Army, Fort Irwin, safety, biological, and project-specific protocols.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of Mojave Desert Tortoise biology, ecology, anatomy, behavior, disease concerns, handling, and translocation protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct tortoise health assessments and collect biological samples.
• Ability to recognize normal and abnormal clinical conditions.
• Knowledge of biosecurity, sanitation, disease-risk reduction, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Strong technical writing, communication, organization, and field coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple animals, samples, records, and field priorities while maintaining data quality.
• Proficiency with GPS units, tablets, Survey123, ArcGIS, electronic databases, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary field team.
• Ability to work extended or irregular hours and travel as required.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Required Qualifications

• Current or documented previous USFWS approval to conduct Mojave Desert Tortoise health assessments.
• Demonstrated experience independently conducting health assessments and collecting biological samples from Mojave Desert Tortoises.
• Experience applying USFWS-approved handling, sanitation, biosecurity, and documentation procedures.
• Experience coordinating with wildlife veterinarians, laboratories, regulatory agencies, or government clients.
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Veterinary Science, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of professional wildlife biology experience, including substantial Mojave Desert Tortoise experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current USFWS Recovery Permit or applicable authorization.
• Experience supporting large-scale tortoise translocation, disease surveillance, or long-term monitoring programs.
• Experience preparing health assessment summaries
• Experience working on Department of Defense installations or in Southern California desert ecosystems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely handle and examine Mojave Desert Tortoises in accordance with approved protocols.
• Ability to hike long distances over uneven and remote desert terrain.
• Ability to kneel, crouch, bend, and remain in field positions for extended periods.
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme heat, cold, wind, dust, and other environmental conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely operate a company vehicle on paved and unimproved roads.
• Ability to wear required PPE and complete prolonged periods of data entry and reporting.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Diversity and Ethics

• Promotes a professional, inclusive, collaborative, and harassment-free workplace.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, scientific accuracy, and respect.
• Prioritizes animal welfare, regulatory compliance, safety, and data quality.
• Immediately reports safety concerns, animal-welfare concerns, data-quality issues, or deviations from approved procedures.
• Upholds organizational values and applicable ethical standards.

Work Environment
Employees may work in a temperature-controlled office environment while completing reports, reviewing records, entering data, attending meetings, or planning field activities.
Field assignments may involve remote desert environments, active military training areas, temporary holding facilities, extreme temperatures, uneven terrain, dust, wildlife, loud noise, biological materials, disinfectants, and other environmental or occupational hazards. Appropriate training and PPE will be provided.
SpecPro Professional Services, LLC is an environmental, energy, and facility services firm headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, and is a subsidiary of Bristol Bay Native Corporation. SpecPro provides environmental and technical services in support of federal, state, and commercial clients nationwide.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume, documentation of applicable USFWS approvals or authorizations, relevant training records, availability, and salary requirements.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation, drug screening, driving-record review, and any other applicable pre-employment requirements in accordance with state and federal law.
SpecPro offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.