Independent Contractor Bat Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location(s): United StatesPractice/Department: BiologicalWork Environment: Hybrid or RemoteCompensation: $120,000-150,000/annually*

Dudek's journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California's water and wastewater agencies. 

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we've been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.  

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. 

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape. 

Who You Are 

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.  

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation. 

How You'll Make an Impact

Dudek is currently seeking a fulltime, seniorlevel biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will play a key role in growing Dudek's bat biology services practice, with an emphasis on bat survey design and implementation, impact analysis, regulatory permitting, and mitigation planning under CEQA and NEPA. This position will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary Dudek staff throughout our California offices and will involve both inoffice and extensive fieldbased work. The position may be located out of any of Dudek's California offices (in which case this position would be hybrid) or may be located out of California, within the United States, if the individual does not live in California (in which case this position would be remote).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and help conduct bat surveys in accordance with current agency guidance and best available science, including habitat assessments, roost surveys, emergence counts, acoustic surveys, and activity monitoring;
• Deploy, operate, and maintain passive and active bat detection technologies, including commonly used systems such as:
  • Passive acoustic detectors (e.g., Anabat, Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter, Pettersson systems);
  • Active handheld detectors (e.g., Pettersson D-series, Echo Meter Touch);
  • Supporting equipment for emergence counts, nightvision, and thermal imaging where appropriate;
• Lead and oversee bat call analysis and interpretation using industrystandard software (e.g., Kaleidoscope, Sonobat, Analook, BCID), including quality assurance and defensible reporting of results;
• Prepare and oversee preparation of technical reports summarizing bat survey methodologies, results, seasonal constraints, and impact assessments;
• Perform and oversee projectlevel and programmatic bat impact analyses primarily under CEQA, and secondarily under NEPA, including significance determinations and impact avoidance evaluations;
• Design and evaluate batspecific avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, including roost exclusion timing, habitat conservation strategies, structure design considerations, and longterm management approaches;
• Develop and oversee implementation of bat management and monitoring programs, including postconstruction monitoring and adaptive management frameworks;
• Prepare scopes of work, budgets, and cost estimates for bat survey, impact assessment, and mitigation projects;
• Manage technical projects from inception through completion, ensuring highquality deliverables, adherence to schedules, and budget control;
• Lead, mentor, and support project teams in both field and office settings to maximize safety, efficiency, and technical excellence;
• Mentor and train junior staff in bat survey techniques, acoustic analysis, reporting, and regulatory compliance, in coordination with other senior staff;
• Participate in the development of internal guidance documents, bestpractice manuals, and training materials related to bat biology;
• Represent Dudek and its clients in meetings with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as in public forums, as a subject matter expert in bat biology and impact assessment;
• Support professional marketing and business development efforts related to bat biology, including proposal support, qualifications development, conference participation, and thought leadership;
• Track regulatory updates, emerging research, and evolving agency guidance related to bat conservation and management to ensure compliance with current requirements and best practices; Lead preparation of biological documentation supporting state and federal permit applications, including incidental take permitting requirements where applicable;
• Demonstrate experience working with state and federally listed bat species, including an understanding of take authorization processes and coordination with regulatory agencies (e.g., CDFW, USFWS);
• Manage technical projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely and efficient delivery;
• Lead, mentor, and support project teams with the goal of maximizing performance and efficiency in the field and with report writing;
• Mentor and train junior staff in collaboration with other senior staff;
• Participate in the development of guides and training materials;
• Prepare biological technical reports/evaluations/analyses, CEQA document analysis, and prepare scopes of work for general biological studies (to be conducted when not occupied by bat-focused work).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, wildlife biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related natural resources field;
• Minimum of 12 years of demonstrated professional experience focused on bat biology, including acoustic surveys, roost investigations, impact analysis, and mitigation planning;
• Demonstrated expertlevel understanding of CEQA bat impact analysis, with secondary applied experience under NEPA;
• Extensive handson experience deploying and interpreting data from passive and active bat acoustic detection equipment;
• Advanced proficiency with bat call analysis software and defensible data interpretation;
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing batspecific mitigation measures and management strategies;
• Strong understanding of California bat species ecology across diverse environments (deserts, coastal regions, forests, mountains, urban settings);
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving wildlife impact analyses and mitigation planning;
• Experience working with state and federally listed bat species, including familiarity with incidental take considerations and permitting pathways is a bonus;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly;
• Willingness to travel throughout California, including overnight stays;
• Ability to work long days in the field, at night, in remote locations, and over uneven terrain;
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain personal automobile liability insurance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology, wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field;
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, state and/or federal bat handling permits;
• Recognized professional standing in the bat research or consulting community, including experience presenting or instructing at conferences, workshops, or trainings;
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, collaborative teams;
• Demonstrated success in client interaction and solutionoriented project delivery;
• Highly detailoriented with strong organizational skills and a commitment to scientific rigor;
• Exercises sound professional judgment and effective decisionmaking in complex regulatory and technical contexts.

Compensation: $120,000-150,000/annually* 

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual's related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. 

Working Conditions 

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. 
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following: 

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. 

• Employees must be capable of bending, squatting, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 35 lbs. unassisted; 50lbs in a team lift (two or more employees). 

• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually as well as speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others. Speaking, hearing and listening are required. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 
• Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time. 

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Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.  

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek's operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek's commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.