Biologist/Ecologist

Biologist/Ecologist

MIG, Inc. is a national firm specializing in environmental planning, design, communications, management, science, and technology. We believe that the environment around us has a profound impact on our lives, and our shared vision is of a world where people, communities, and ecosystems thrive. For over 40 years, MIG has engaged the talents and vitality of top professionals who plan, design, and sustain communities that connect people to the environment and to each other. Our team members are passionate about their work and share a common desire to engage closely with our clients and the communities impacted by our work.

We are seeking an experienced, mid-level Biologist/Ecologist to join our California biological resources team in our San Jose office. Applicants who reside in the South Bay or Peninsula area will be prioritized. This position is an excellent growth opportunity with flexibility for part-time or full-time, depending on the candidate’s preference and availability. This position will begin as mostly field-based to support long-term monitoring projects with the potential to incorporate office responsibilities, depending on the candidate. MIG supports a hybrid work-from-home/remote and in-office schedule, but some in-person work will be required to complete project work, and for learning and team-building opportunities.

Responsibilities – What You’ll Accomplish

• Project Work: You will work individually or with a team on projects that focus on the southern San Francisco Bay Area but may also occur throughout California. Depending on skills and experience, you can expect to work on:
  • Biological construction monitoring for special-status species and habitats
  • Focused field surveys for special-status species
  • Habitat assessments and site surveys in a variety of ecosystems
  • Focused surveys for special-status species
  • Biological Assessments in support of Biological Opinions
  • CEQA/NEPA biological impact analyses
  • Caltrans biological documents
  • Construction monitoring and nesting bird surveys
  • Jurisdictional waters/wetland delineations and regulatory permitting
  • Data collection, reporting, and field mapping. Report preparation for technical biology reports and CEQA/NEPA documents
• Supporting Project Management: As you gain experience, you will build project management and marketing skills by assisting with scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and client communications, as well as interacting with client and agency staff.
• Project Types: You will be involved in field work and reporting supporting environmental compliance for public and private-sector clients. Our projects include infrastructure, institutional facilities, parks and recreation, and private development.
• Collaborative Teammate: You will work as part of a cross-office, cross-discipline team to conduct a variety of field surveys and assessments and prepare biological reports and biological resource sections of environmental documents. This team specializes in finding solutions to complex technical and regulatory environments in planning, design, and management of the built and natural environment.
• Field work may require some travel, evening, and weekend work, to maintain project schedules or meet deadlines. MIG encourages a sustainable and healthy work-life balance, and these excess hours can be offset during the week when possible.

Experience and Qualifications for Success – What We’d Like to See

As a successful candidate, you will be able to manage time and competing priorities, think critically and creatively, work as part of a collaborative team, and maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie. In addition, you have some combination of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife, ecology, botany, or related natural resources field (a Master’s degree in a complementary field is a plus).
• Experience sufficient for CDFW approval as a qualified biologist, designated biologist, or biological monitor for San Francisco Bay Area special-status species at construction monitoring projects as defined in Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements and related permitting documents.
• Experience with San Francisco Bay Area aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species surveys with an emphasis on special-status species including nesting birds, San Francisco dusky footed woodrat, California red-legged frog, San Francisco garter snake, western pond turtle, spadefoot, roosting bats, and a variety of fish and rare plant species.
• Capabilities with office and field applications including the Microsoft Office Suite and field-based data collection apps such as ESRI Field Maps, Survey 123, Avenza, or Gaia. Ability to work with various file formats (e.g., KMZ, shapefile, PDF) to navigate and collect data.
• Relevant experience in environmental consulting, natural resource planning and management, or a closely related field. Experience coordinating project schedules and workflow a plus, but not required.
• You are professional and organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• You can safely conduct fieldwork in challenging terrain and weather conditions as necessary.
• You have excellent verbal communication and writing skills, including the ability to convey technical information in a clear, concise manner.
• You are an adaptable teammate who is willing to pitch in and help others, but can also work well independently.

MIG values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Our teams enjoy a flexible work schedule, a rewarding work environment, and a creative atmosphere that allows for professional development and career advancement opportunities while promoting team spirit and genuine camaraderie. We offer a comprehensive benefits program including paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays, partial cell phone reimbursement, mileage reimbursement, medical, dental, vision, FSA, and HRA with employer contributions and 401K matching. This is a full-time, hourly position and eligible for overtime. The pay range for the full-time position with benefits is $40-$50/hour, commensurate with location, skills, and experience. The pay range for part-time positions with no benefits is $50-100/hour, commensurate with location, skills, and experience.