Field Biologist

Multiple Field Biologist Positions (On-Call/As-Needed) – San Francisco Bay Area or Southern CA Area

Position Description

MIG, Inc. is an award-winning national firm specializing in 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 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 experienced, versatile and motivated As-needed Field Biologists for on-call, project-based employment in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and southern California (Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties). This is a field-based, remote position requiring the ability to be local on assignments for extended periods but linked to a regional headquarters in San Jose. This position supports numerous natural resource projects that address all aspects of a project life cycle including pre-construction habitat assessments, wildlife and plant surveys, construction monitoring, and post-construction effectiveness monitoring. Projects are located in the human-built environment (e.g., housing, transportation, parks) as well as open space.

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

A successful candidate can 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, there should be some combination of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, or related natural resources field (an advanced degree is a plus but not required).
• Relevant experience in environmental consulting, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Field experience and professional skills associated with a specialty, such as jurisdictional waters/wetland delineations, botanical surveys, and/or regional special-status wildlife, plant species and sensitive natural communities.
• Work experience that may include plant species identification using dichotomous keys; California wetland delineation; explaining state and federal regulatory permitting processes; aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species identification; habitat and impact assessment in California; construction monitoring/management; worker environmental awareness training, and other suitable work experience.
• Reliable personal transportation and internet access to attend staff meetings at the office or other work locations. Although telecommuting is generally encouraged, we also value in-person meetings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of equipment or supplies (such as rodent traps, field gear, or other field equipment) across uneven terrain and install equipment above ground surfaces using a ladder.
• Be professional and organized with exceptional attention to detail, including survey protocols and budgets.
• Ability to safely conduct fieldwork in challenging terrain and difficult weather conditions as necessary.
• Excellent verbal communication and analytical and technical writing skills, including the ability to convey technical information to internal and external teams in a clear, concise manner.
• 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.
• Ability to work well with others to complete complex tasks, often pitching in on interdisciplinary planning projects, and be adaptable to self-manage and work independently.
• Compensation: On-call, as needed employees are not eligible for benefits; however, they do accrue sick leave. The pay range is $50–100/hour, commensurate with location, skills, and experience; eligible for qualified overtime pay with supervisor approval. The number of work hours per week may fluctuate widely depending on the season, project status, and staff availability.
• Reimbursement: Monthly telecommunication reimbursement of $35 available only during a month where work was conducted. Mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicle compensated at current GSA rate (2025 = 0.70/mile).