Consulting Associate, Field Biologist

ERM is currently hiring a Casual Part-time, Consulting Associate, Field Biologist to support biological field surveys and environmental monitoring on an as-needed basis throughout Northern California, including, but not limited to, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Oakland, the East Bay, Fort Bragg, Arcata, and Eureka. In this role, you will help support Utility projects by conducting biological surveys, monitoring sensitive resources, collecting high-quality field data, and communicating biological findings to project teams.

Why This Role Matters?

This field-based opportunity supports the responsible delivery of Utility projects across Northern California. Work assignments may vary in duration, frequency, and location depending on project needs. Successful candidates must be adaptable, comfortable working in dynamic field conditions and across diverse habitats, and available for irregular or fluctuating schedules.

This position is ideal for biologists seeking flexible fieldwork opportunities and the opportunity to contribute their biological field skills across a variety of project settings.

What Your Impact Is:

As a Consulting Associate, Field Biologist, you will provide field-based biological support while helping project teams identify, document, and protect sensitive biological resources. Your work will contribute to accurate environmental data collection, regulatory compliance, and effective communication of changing field conditions.

What You'll Bring:

Required

• Bachelor or Master degree in Biological Sciences, Natural Science, Botany, Ecology or related field.
• 0+ years of environmental consulting and/or relevant experience.
• Strong commitment to safety, including following established health and safety protocols.
• Ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a demanding work environment.
• Must be willing to travel to field sites, frequently on short notice, with overnight stays throughout Northern California.
• Ability to hike long distances, carry field equipment, and work extended days when needed.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes with short notice; overnight stays may occur.
• Commitment to safe work practices and situational awareness in field environments.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Field experience with a focus on biota in Northern California.
• Botanical and/or avian expertise.
• Prior experience in the power sector.
• Experience in sub-meter accuracy GPS technologies, ESRI Field Maps, and GIS collection techniques in the field.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct biological field surveys, including nesting bird surveys, natural community assessments, rare plant surveys, preliminary aquatic resource evaluations, and other surveys in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations relevant to the species or habitats involved.
• Identify wildlife species by sight and sound, with emphasis on behavioral observations and habitat associations.
• Locate, monitor, and document wildlife activity or sensitive biological resources while minimizing disturbance.
• Implement field protocols related to avoidance, buffer establishment, or biological monitoring during ground-disturbing activities.
• Record detailed field notes, data sheets, and digital entries; prepare daily logs and contribute to technical reporting as needed.
• Communicate biological findings and field conditions to project managers or field leads in real time.
• Utilize handheld GPS units, tablets, and other mobile data collection tools.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable wildlife regulations, survey guidance, and regional ecological context relevant to assigned projects.
• Participate in occasional office-based tasks such as data management or quality review.
• Perform data entry and data review and apply expertise with ESRI Field Maps and sub-meter GPS data collection.
• Perform other biology-related duties as assigned.

For the Consulting Associate, Field Biologist position, the anticipated hourly pay is $28.22–$35.19 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus paysubject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.  

Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. 

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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