Environmental/Field Biologist

ESA is seeking a highly motivated Environmental/Field Biologist to join our team of scientists, ecologists, engineers and planners in the Southeast region. We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic team member with 5+ years of work experience, a passion for natural systems, working outdoors, and the desire to learn and grow. We welcome a collaborative team member with a growth mindset able to conduct plant and wildlife surveys and habitat assessments, monitor sensitive biological resources, collect data digitally and analyze results, and deliver quality technical written work products. This is an exempt, full-time, salary role. This is a remote role with hybrid work as needed. Strong preference given to candidates within a commutable distance to our following ESA Office locations: Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, or Boynton Beach. This role will involve some travel for site visits, projects, and in-person team collaboration as needed.

Who You Are

• Hold a bachelor's degree in a natural science field (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental science) and have a minimum of 5+ years of experience in relevant scientific or environmental consulting. The ideal candidate will specialize in one or more areas, including botany, arboriculture, ecology, wetlands, wildlife, Florida- specific local/state/federal permitting, habitat restoration, conservation/resource management planning, and similar natural resource-related disciplines.
• Experienced biologist who performs natural resource-related evaluations and technical studies. Confident leading biological fieldwork efforts including habitat surveys, protected species surveys, wetland delineations, and ecological monitoring.
  
  
  
  • Has a comprehensive understanding of applicable standard methods to conduct ecological assessments and solve basic technical challenges
  
  
  
  
• Understand and follow environmental regulations and policies relevant to project locations
• Prior experience serving as a technical lead or manager on projects who is comfortable collaborating with team members to meet project goals and share knowledge.
• Contributes to technical writing for environmental documents (e.g., assessments, permit applications, NEPA sections). Drafts clear, well-supported reports and memoranda with guidance from senior staff
• Take initiative, communicate effectively, and contribute to a respectful, feedback-driven team culture
• You are comfortable working in and around water, and you preferably have experience working with tools, all-terrain vehicles and/or on boats.
• Preference given to qualified candidates with any of the following skillsets: Certified/Trained Boat Operator, Primary Caracara Observer, qualified to analyze bat acoustic data, Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent, Certified Arborist, Professional Wetland Scientist and / or a candidate who is competent at state and federal wetland delineations.
• Previous experience with software like Field Maps, Collector, Survey123, and GIS are preferred while experience with Microsoft Suite is required.
• You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 50 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground in a variety of environments, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required.

What You Will Do for ESA

• Apply critical thinking and problem solving to select and apply standard techniques, methods and procedures for a wide range of basic to lower complexity biological studies, may serve as a technical specialist.
• Perform biological field studies such as habitat and species surveys, habitat inventories and assessments, wetland and stream delineations, compliance monitoring and habitat restoration. You will assist in field data collection, quality control, and analysis in support of permit applications, environmental support documentation, and ecological design and plan development.
• You will possess a basic understanding of regulations, policies, and principles in the topic and location of expertise.
• You will serve as a contributing author of environmental documents potentially including technical memoranda, biological assessments/evaluations, scientific discipline reports, and/or sections of NEPA analyses, resource-related permit applications and/or other documents. You will prepare draft documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported.
• You will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team. You will have strong writing skills, effective oral presentation skills, listening skills, and the ability to present information understandably about basic or moderately complex topics.
• You will write technical reports describing data collection methods and results. You will develop and adhere to data collection and quality control procedures.
• You will perform projects functions such as development and tracking of scope, schedule, and invoices You will deliver project assignments on time and within budget. You will check work for errors, accuracy, and applicability to project needs.
• You take the initiative to provide mentoring to more junior staff.
• You will work at your desk and outdoors - within a variety of habitat communities including fresh and saltwater marshes, forested systems, uplands, developed communities and on water work (e.g., streams, rivers, estuaries, open water)
• Thrive in a fast-paced, exciting, and challenging environment and be able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently.
• Other ad-hoc tasks as needed

What's Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family); annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP; a 401(k) plan with company match; and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also offer specific programs to support you when you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

What's Special About Our Biological Resources Team in the Southeast

Our Team includes biologists, restoration ecologists, permitting specialists, conservation biologists, and environmental scientists that provide expertise for many municipalities throughout Florida and the Southeast Region. Our work matters because it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens in balance with conserving our state's sensitive natural resources. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.

We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. To read about some of the exciting projects we have recently completed, check out this link: https://esassoc.com/projects/