Field Biologist

~ Sapphos Environmental resolves planning, resource management and environmental compliance issues through the development of pragmatic solutions & exemplary client service. ~

Founded in October 1992, Sapphos Environmental, Inc. continues its mission to provide environmental compliance services to both public and private-sector clients.

Sapphos Environmental has continued to grow and prosper, providing responsive, high-quality planning, resource management, and environmental compliance services, which are tailored to serve the unique needs of each client. Sapphos is dedicated to assisting clients in reaching their goals, understanding their objectives, and providing a range of alternatives and opportunities to achieve those objectives.

The firm has completed hundreds of planning, resource management, and environmental compliance work efforts. Approximately seventy percent of these efforts have consisted of environmental compliance and specialty services in support of public works projects. The firm has provided services to more than 300 clients, with contract values ranging from less than $1,000 to more than $2.5 million.

Position Overview 

We are looking for an hourly on-call biologist to work in the Biological Resources Management Department. The primary responsibility of the successful candidate will be to support desert tortoise survey and monitoring efforts.

The schedule for these projects often shift with little notice, and the successful candidate may be required to change their schedule at the last minute, work on weekends, and work overtime.

A majority of these project sites are located in the Mojave Desert, so the candidate must be comfortable working in extreme weather conditions. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing general biological resources trainings to construction crews to ensure that the workers know the appropriate procedure should they encounter a sensitive biological resource during ground-disturbing activities and to inform them of the biological resources that they could potentially see on the project site. 

Responsibilities  

Duties: 

• Fieldwork (identification of desert tortoises and their sign, flora, avian and mammalian species; and reading and interpretation of topographic maps and aerial photographs)
• Research (literature reviews, database searches, coordination with public agencies and field-related experts)
• Preparation of biological resources technical reports and memoranda
• Project management is a plus but is not a requirement (project budgeting, scheduling, and coordination with clients, other biologists and staff members, including sub consultants)

Qualifications 

• Preference will be given to candidates who are agency-authorized desert tortoise biologists or have sufficient experience to become authorized (in the application, please include the number of wild, free-ranging desert tortoises encountered)
• Preference will be given to candidates with a greater number of desert tortoise survey hours and number of encounters
• Provide general biological resources trainings
• Familiarity with southwest desert ecology
• Experience driving a 4-wheel-drive vehicle through rough terrain
• Experience using handheld global positioning system devices
• Comfortable using computers and proficient with MS Office
• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of threatened and endangered species and relevant issues as they relate to Southern California
• Knowledge of the federal and California Endangered Species Acts
• Familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act is desirable
• California Department of Fish and Game Collecting Permit and/or USFWS Incidental Take permits is/are a plus
• Experience with environmental consulting preferred but not required 

Education: 

• The successful candidate should have a degree in Wildlife Biology, Botany, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, or other related field. 

Other Desirable Skills: 

• Attention to detail; professional demeanor; and strong communication, organization, and research skills
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in a team environment with a variety of project members and manage tasks as delegated by project lead 

Compensation: The hourly rate for this position is commensurate with level of education and experience.

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email a cover letter that specifies desert tortoise experience, including number of hours and number of encounters; writing sample (less than 5 pages); and résumé to Mr. Dan Garrison.