Bat Biologist/Ecologist

Bat Biologist/Ecologist – Midwest Region

ECT is seeking a Bat Biologist/Ecologist to take a leadership role in our Midwest region, growing our bat biology program and supporting projects across the Great Lakes, upper Midwest, and beyond. As a full-time Bat Biologist/Ecologist with ECT, you’ll collaborate with project teams on bat presence/absence surveys (mist-netting and acoustics), radio-tracking, emergence surveys, and habitat assessments. You’ll oversee field crews, lead summer mist-netting and acoustic surveys for federally- and state-listed bat and help strengthen our regional program while contributing to strategic development of a national bat services practice.

If you’re ready to put your bat survey expertise to work in the Midwest and want the opportunity to shape a growing regional program, this role offers career advancement within a firm with a national footprint.

What You Will Accomplish

• Lead field survey crews for bat projects throughout the Midwest, with occasional assignments in other regions.
• Conduct presence/absence surveys, acoustic monitoring, radio-telemetry, and habitat assessments in forested, prairie, agricultural, riparian, and urban edge habitats typical of the Midwest.
• Assist with developing safe, efficient, and consistent workflows for bat services tailored to regional client and agency needs.
• Coordinate with state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Region 3) on Endangered Species Act compliance and permitting.
• Support multidisciplinary teams by occasionally assisting with other natural resource surveys (e.g., wetlands, vegetation assessments, Phase I ESAs, constraints analyses).
• Prepare reports and study plans describing methodologies and survey results, tailored to state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Utilize GPS units, tablets (Field Maps, Survey123), and tools such as thermal imaging, remote sensing, and acoustic analysis software to collect and interpret field data.

Experience and Qualifications for Success

• B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of demonstrated field experience with bat species, including study design, acoustic data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Experience supervising or coordinating multiple field survey crews.
• Current rabies vaccination required.
• Ability to conduct strenuous fieldwork (up to 10 miles per day, often in rugged terrain) and carry up to 40 lbs of equipment.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the Midwest during the summer survey season, including night work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three to seven years of natural resources experience, with emphasis on bat survey methods and habitat assessments.
• Current USFWS Section 10(a)(1)(A) Recovery Permit for bat work.
• Familiarity with Midwest state permitting and conservation programs.
• Experience with other wildlife survey types (avian, herpetofauna) a plus.
• Strong skills in technical writing and preparation of regulatory documents.
• Demonstrated experience with task or project management.

Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. (ECT) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and other lawful criteria. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.