Senior Biologist / Bat Biologist

Dudek

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Dudek is currently seeking a full‑time, senior‑level biologist to join our biological resources team. The successful candidate will play a key role in growing Dudek’s bat biology services practice, with an emphasis on bat survey design and implementation, impact analysis, regulatory permitting, and mitigation planning under CEQA and NEPA. This position will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary Dudek staff throughout our California offices and will involve both in‑office and extensive field‑based work. The position may be located out of any of Dudek’s California offices (in which case this position would be hybrid) or may be located out of California, within the United States, if the individual does not live in California (in which case this position would be remote).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related natural resources field;
Minimum of 12 years of demonstrated professional experience focused on bat biology, including acoustic surveys, roost investigations, impact analysis, and mitigation planning;
Demonstrated expert‑level understanding of CEQA bat impact analysis, with secondary applied experience under NEPA;
Extensive hands‑on experience deploying and interpreting data from passive and active bat acoustic detection equipment;
Advanced proficiency with bat call analysis software and defensible data interpretation;
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing bat‑specific mitigation measures and management strategies;
Strong understanding of California bat species ecology across diverse environments (deserts, coastal regions, forests, mountains, urban settings);
Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving wildlife impact analyses and mitigation planning;
Experience working with state‑ and federally listed bat species, including familiarity with incidental take considerations and permitting pathways is a bonus;
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly;
Willingness to travel throughout California, including overnight stays;
Ability to work long days in the field, at night, in remote locations, and over uneven terrain;
Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain personal automobile liability insurance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biology, wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field;
Possession of, or ability to obtain, state and/or federal bat handling permits;
Recognized professional standing in the bat research or consulting community, including experience presenting or instructing at conferences, workshops, or trainings;
Strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, collaborative teams;
Demonstrated success in client interaction and solution‑oriented project delivery;
Highly detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills and a commitment to scientific rigor;
Exercises sound professional judgment and effective decision‑making in complex regulatory and technical contexts.

Responsibilities

Plan, lead, and help conduct bat surveys in accordance with current agency guidance and best available science, including habitat assessments, roost surveys, emergence counts, acoustic surveys, and activity monitoring;
Deploy, operate, and maintain passive and active bat detection technologies, including commonly used systems such as: Passive acoustic detectors (e.g., Anabat, Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter, Pettersson systems); Active handheld detectors (e.g., Pettersson D-series, Echo Meter Touch); Supporting equipment for emergence counts, night‑vision, and thermal imaging where appropriate;
Lead and oversee bat call analysis and interpretation using industry‑standard software (e.g., Kaleidoscope, Sonobat, Analook, BCID), including quality assurance and defensible reporting of results;
Prepare and oversee preparation of technical reports summarizing bat survey methodologies, results, seasonal constraints, and impact assessments;
Perform and oversee project‑level and programmatic bat impact analyses primarily under CEQA, and secondarily under NEPA, including significance determinations and impact avoidance evaluations;
Design and evaluate bat‑specific avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, including roost exclusion timing, habitat conservation strategies, structure design considerations, and long‑term management approaches;
Develop and oversee implementation of bat management and monitoring programs, including post‑construction monitoring and adaptive management frameworks;
Prepare scopes of work, budgets, and cost estimates for bat survey, impact assessment, and mitigation projects;
Manage technical projects from inception through completion, ensuring high‑quality deliverables, adherence to schedules, and budget control;
Lead, mentor, and support project teams in both field and office settings to maximize safety, efficiency, and technical excellence;
Mentor and train junior staff in bat survey techniques, acoustic analysis, reporting, and regulatory compliance, in coordination with other senior staff;
Participate in the development of internal guidance documents, best‑practice manuals, and training materials related to bat biology;
Represent Dudek and its clients in meetings with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as in public forums, as a subject matter expert in bat biology and impact assessment;
Support professional marketing and business development efforts related to bat biology, including proposal support, qualifications development, conference participation, and thought leadership;
Track regulatory updates, emerging research, and evolving agency guidance related to bat conservation and management to ensure compliance with current requirements and best practices;
Lead preparation of biological documentation supporting state and federal permit applications, including incidental take permitting requirements where applicable;
Demonstrate experience working with state and federally listed bat species, including an understanding of take authorization processes and coordination with regulatory agencies (e.g., CDFW, USFWS);
Manage technical projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely and efficient delivery;
Lead, mentor, and support project teams with the goal of maximizing performance and efficiency in the field and with report writing;
Mentor and train junior staff in collaboration with other senior staff;
Participate in the development of guides and training materials;
Prepare biological technical reports/evaluations/analyses, CEQA document analysis, and prepare scopes of work for general biological studies (to be conducted when not occupied by bat-focused work).