Wildlife Biologist and Mechanical-Electrical Engineer Aid - (864)
Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST), a dynamic medium size environmental consulting firm, is looking for a temporary full time Wildlife Biologist and Mechanical/Electrical Engineers to aid in evaluating the impact of wind turbines on bats and birds at operational wind facilities and baseline monitoring, starting immediately through at least November 30, 2022.
Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!
Key Details:
- Compensation:$15-18 per hour,DOE
- Start date: Immediately
- End date: November 30, 2022
- Location: Golden Valley, Minnesota and nearby.
- Housing: Housing will not be provided.
- Additional Details: Personal vehicle use will be reimbursed for mileage.
Job Summary:
Biological field technician will conduct standardized searches beneath wind turbines to locate and document bird and bat carcasses. Successful candidates must be able to follow field and data collection protocols, work well both independently and with others, and work in a rural setting. Training will be provided on bird/bat identification and field data collection. An average work week may include 30-40 hours for full-time employees, though there may be weeks requiring shorter or longer hours, depending on the project and seasonal workloads. Additional duties may include writing and research tasks, and object delineation and confirmation for artificial intelligence analysis.
Successful candidates will work independently, but within a small group of research biologists, gaining hands on lab and field experience, collecting scientific data used to inform our understanding of the impacts of wind turbines on birds and bats in the US. Since 1990, WEST has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States, combining ecology and statistics to address natural resource challenges. Using state-of-the-art statistical principles in the design, management, and analysis of ecological field studies, WEST specializes in common sense, professional, and scientifically defensible approaches to natural resource challenges. WEST has new projects starting year round throughout North America, providing a variety of opportunities to field technicians with a passion for field work and wildlife biology. Apply now to join our team of nationally recognized avian and bat biologists as a biological field technician!
Responsibilities include:
- Conduct field work while adhering to WEST and client field safety requirements.
- Provide engineering support to novel data collection efforts
- Implementing design and mechanical work in support of the research objectives
- Collect data and support image recognition and computer vision work.
- Potential opportunities to conduct or support additional biological surveys
This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.
Requirements/Skill preference:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or an equivalent degree required.
- Candidates with education and training in mechanical or electrical engineering, and including safe construction practices including the use of basic hand and powered construction tools, work with wood, metal, plastics, and electronics.
- Applicant must be safety conscious.
- Experience with use of image recognition software and AI training preferred.
- Experience with cameras, binoculars, skilled use of computers, tablet data collection, GPS units, compass, and other field equipment is preferred.
- Candidates must be organized, and able to collect and manage data, including implementing quality control measures.
- Must be able to work independently to implement work of the design team, and collaborate with the design team.
- Must interact professionally and respectfully with project managers, biologists, technicians, clients, and landowners
- Job requires the person filling this position to be able to appear for work on time; start times can often start as early as sunrise, and may end after sunset.
Physical Requirements:
Applicants must be in good physical condition, as surveys will require walking for entire shifts in locations where temperatures and conditions can be extreme.
- Job will require long periods of sitting and standing.
- Candidates must be able to safely lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Candidates must be able to climb ladders to one story and work safely at height.
- Candidates much be able to walk over uneven and rough surfaces.
- Technicians must be equipped with and provide their own suitable safety toed footwear (steel or composite-toe) when required, binoculars, clothing, water bottles, etc.
WEST is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for everyone and highly recommends all prospective hires be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their start date. While WEST does not currently require vaccinations, please be aware that WEST has a mandatory vaccination policy in place should local, state or federal law require vaccinations. Additionally, WEST has certain clients that require all personnel to be vaccinated prior to working on their projects, so individuals will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination prior to working on those projects. As an exception, employees may also request a Medical or Religious exemption from the vaccine requirement and the request must be supported by a doctor for a medical exemption or by a statement from the employee outlining a sincerely held belief to qualify for a religious exemption. Please contact us if you have any questions.
After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required.
WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.