Field Survey Technician

EDR is looking to hire qualified Field Survey Technicians to conduct avian surveys at proposed solar and wind energy project sites in New York State. These positions are temporary (i.e., on a per-project or per-season basis) but may be extended depending on additional project opportunities and job performance. Avian surveys will primarily involve early morning breeding bird surveys, eagle point count and/or nest surveys, and/or daytime forest raptor surveys in rural settings.

Schedule and Compensation:

• Anticipated Start and End Dates: on-boarding and training in April or May 2024; field surveys beginning in May, depending on candidate availability to start work.
• Weekly Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8-10 hours per day is typical (up to 40+ hours weekly); part-time work schedules (i.e., less than 40 hours weekly) can also be arranged.
• Compensation: $19 to $23 per hour (based on experience and work history with EDR).
• Lodging: expenses reimbursed dependent on individual project requirements. Hotel stays reimbursed when overnight travel is needed for multi-day survey efforts in a given work week.
• Transportation: personal vehicle mileage reimbursed for work travel; calculated based on EDR office locations.
• Meal Per Diem: dependent on individual project requirements, but typically $15 per diem on workdays with early morning surveys for the lunch meal and $50 per diem for workdays with overnight travel.
• Equipment: mobile device (e.g., iPad mini), headlamp, traffic safety cones, first aid kit, and safety vest all provided by EDR for work use.
• Safety: all employees will adhere to EDR health and safety procedures and employment policies, including project-specific job hazard analysis.

Qualifications:

• At least one (1) field season or one (1) year of experience conducting breeding bird, wintering raptor, migratory raptor, eagle, or other similar bird surveys (in a professional or scientific research capacity).
• A strong proficiency in visual and auditory bird identification, including rare species and raptors.
• The ability to readily identify avian species that occur in New York State (or ability to quickly learn to identify such species).
• The willingness to travel, including overnights, to project sites located throughout New York State.
• A current, valid driver’s license.
• The ability to work atypical hours (early morning and early evening).
• The ability to work outdoors in a variety of harsh weather conditions (e.g., cold, wind, rain, heat, high humidity).
• Physical endurance to conduct avian field surveys in areas without road access (e.g., walking on uneven and/or muddy terrain, hiking through dense and/or thorny vegetation).
• A positive attitude, enthusiasm for teamwork, and appreciation for both the challenges and benefits of working in an outdoor field environment.
• Independence and ability to conduct field surveys alone (following successful completion of training).
• Good written and oral communication skills that allow for accurate, complete data recording and punctual delivery of survey data and progress updates to a field supervisor.
• The ability to carry equipment (e.g., binoculars, spotting scope, mobile device) while conducting fieldwork.
• Proficiency in reading, understanding, and navigating using aerial (satellite) imagery maps.
• The ability to fill out paper and electronic data sheets.
• The ability to accurately record detailed spatial and behavioral information for birds observed during surveys.
• Attention to detail and ability to conduct quality control (QC) reviews of survey data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• A bachelor’s degree or coursework in biology, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science, environmental studies, natural resources, wildlife science, or a related field.

EDR is a multi-disciplinary environmental consulting and design firm that has been in business for over 40 years, and this position represents a career opportunity with one of the leading environmental permitting consultants for renewable energy projects in the Eastern United States. Significant milestones in our portfolio include the largest proposed utility-scale solar project in Maryland (Great Bay Solar), the first wind energy project built in New York (Madison), the first wind energy project approved in Ohio (Buckeye), the first approved off-shore wind project (Cape Wind), the first built off -shore wind project (Block Island), the first proposed off shore wind project in the Great Lakes (Project Icebreaker), the largest wind energy project in the Northeast (Maple Ridge), and the first wind energy project proposed on National Forest Service Lands (Deerfield Wind). Our experience on these projects, along with many other ongoing/active projects, incorporates all aspects of environmental impact analysis and permitting, which includes preparation of environmental impact statements and siting board applications in addition to various support studies and permit applications.

EDR’s staff is a diverse group of environmental professionals that includes ecologists, botanists, wetland specialists, wildlife biologists, GIS specialists, archaeologists, historians, visualization specialists, planners, landscape architects, and engineers. Come join our team, work on interesting and challenging projects, and collaborate with our talented group of environmental professionals!