Bat Biologist

Love nature? Then you’re going to love The Nat.    

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. The Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and completed a strategic plan focused on encouraging a love for nature, levering science and collections for conservation, and using our own voice to be here for nature. 

The Museum’s mission is to conserve nature through science and discovery. Within the Museum, the Department of Bioservices coordinates contracting for biological surveys and monitoring of the region’s birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, plants, and invertebrates, with an emphasis on applied ecological research.

The Department of Bioservices at the San Diego Natural History Museum has an opening for a Bat Biologist to assist with contracted field work. This position is a full time (40 hours per week), term position, for a period of 14 months (ending 30 June 2027). The term may be extended pending suitable funding. All work is funded through grants and contracts.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct field investigations of bats throughout the region, including remote areas. Work in remote areas may require camping at field sites. Anticipated upcoming work includes surveys and monitoring of bats utilizing capture and acoustic monitoring techniques for studying the bat fauna of both coastal and desert areas. Applicants must be experienced in identifying the bats of southern California both in the hand and through acoustic recording data.

Other duties may include data entry and analysis, and report writing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A M.S. in biology or a related discipline, or a combination of professional experience and biological knowledge equivalent to a graduate degree.
• Extensive knowledge of the bat fauna of San Diego County and surrounding regions.
• Experience utilizing standard bat survey techniques and equipment.
• Experience in conducting and analyzing acoustic surveys for bats.
• Experience in safely handling, measuring, and assessing bats in the hand.
• 10(a) and state SCP permits to work with rare species preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of GIS mapping, and/or statistical analyses of data sets is preferred but not required.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs., and hike up to three miles in rough terrain.
• Have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, sick-time, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums, and more.

Pay: $30.00/hour.

Start date: May 1st, 2026