Mid-level Ecologist/Statistician (on-call)

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

AECOM is seeking an experienced Ecologist III/Statistician to join our California Natural Resources Group.  This is a part-time, on-call position that will report directly to our Southern California NR team.  Candidates may work remotely.

This position would support numerous natural resource projects throughout the Western United States, including California, the Great Basin region, and the southwest. Primary duties will include ecological statistics and modeling to support risk assessments, permitting, and/or conservation planning. The position will support complex permitting and compliance projects focused on federally and/or state-listed and sensitive species.

Responsibilities will require a working knowledge of advanced statistics and modeling with ecological applications. Skill sets required include including proficiency with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS) and modeling approaches such as general linear and Bayesian models. Responsibilities will include collaborating with diverse project teams on a variety of types of projects. Other focuses may include supporting development of technical reports, conservation plans, and permit applications. Candidate will coordinate with clients and resource agency staff and participate in public review processes.

Projects and clients can include renewable energy, transportation, utility and energy transmission sectors, with an emphasis on clients in the public sector such as federal and municipal entities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supports projects with complex permitting needs and large-scale field efforts
• Oversees or authors advanced technical documents such as conservation plans, permit applications, technical reports, etc.
• Develops monitoring plans, avoidance/minimization strategies and adaptive management approaches for listed and sensitive species
• Develops electronic data collection protocols and effectively manages large volumes of data
• Establishes and oversees robust QA/QC protocols
• Conducts modeling and analyses on large datasets to inform impact analyses and mitigation approaches, particularly for raptor impacts, and ultimately permitting approaches
• Collaborates with large teams on project goals
• Tracks project financial performance and identify trends and deviations to project team with recommended corrective courses of action
• Operates as primary point of contact for clients and resource agencies on projects
• Candidate will contribute to growth of department through marketing pursuits including proposal preparation, interviews, and business development
• Develops work breakdown structure for control and integrity of work to be performed as and defined by the contract

About AECOM’s Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it.  We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.

AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (biology, ecology, or project management/controls).
• 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in ecology, natural resources/project management.
• Valid U.S Driver's license is required for this role.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in related field (biology, ecology, etc.).
• 6+ years of experience in natural resources/project management.
• Experience with protocol wildlife surveys, habitat assessments, and/or botanical surveys.
• Previous or current experience working in California.
• Data management experience, including electronic data collection in field; managing large data sets.
• Willingness to work with multiple colleagues on a variety of initiatives.
• Successful marketing/business development experience.
• Ability to work in a high-paced environment where changing client priorities result in the need to determine creative ways to get the job done.
• Candidate must be flexible and willing to support multiple projects.
• Team player with excellent listening skills and diplomacy.

• Please note that this role can be based anywhere in the United States and compensation data will vary in each location, including higher or lower than the stated range. 

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.