Wildlife Innovations
Every Response Counts
We respond when wildlife needs us most, supporting everyday rescue efforts or high impact oil spills. Whether it’s an oiled bird pulled from the surf or a shorebird tanged in fishing line, our team shows up ready to help.
Innovation starts in the field
From wildlife management to rescue across California. Small team, big impacts, and the kind of experience that sets you apart
From Field to Final Report
Balance time outdoors with the work that makes it count. You'll collect the data in the field, then analyze, map, and report it, gaining experience on both sides of the job.
Small Team, Big Impact
Wildlife Innovations is a small team of field biologists working on some of California's most sensitive species and sites. The work is hands-on and often demanding, but it directly affects whether the species we manage survive.
Training that Sets You Apart
Get hands-on training in specialized wildlife management techniques, from surveillance to capture and marking methods. Our biologists are often cross-trained on multiple projects and skills supporting team growth and project success.
Current Openings
Select a role to read the full description.
THE ROLE
The Predator Biologist conducts and/or oversees surveillance, research, and targeted management of high threat predators of special status species, including but not limited to nesting California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers, in coastal San Diego, Orange, and/or Los Angeles Counties. This is applied and adaptive conservation work, with the data collected used to help steer management efforts both locally and regionally, with the goal of developing and implementing innovative equipment and techniques to increase program efficiency, reduce negative impacts to native predator populations, and achieve recovery goals.
Day-to-day operations will be based on predator and prey activity, driven by diurnal and nocturnal physical and digital surveillance of nesting and adjacent areas and post-predation site investigations. Active management of high-threat individuals may include a variety of non-lethal and lethal tactics tailored to the species, behavior, and permit conditions. All activity will be digitally collected and analyzed for technical reporting and further development of the programs. Work may include development and testing of experimental techniques to address special status species conflict and GPS tracking of predator movements. Additionally, some work may require injured and contaminated wildlife recovery and transport, as part of on-call rescue projects or oil spill response.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Conduct diurnal and nocturnal predator surveillance and monitoring, through general and protocol-level surveys, identifying potential and confirmed high-threat predators (to species, age, and sex, when possible) and their behavior
- Deploy, operate, and maintain cellular trail cameras and other surveillance equipment; download, review, and log data for integration into active management efforts and technical reporting
- Investigate predation events and use evidence to support identification of high-threat individuals or species
- Implement targeted management of high-threat predators using a variety of lethal and nonlethal tactics, in compliance with company protocols and federal, state, and site-specific regulations
- Record data digitally, maintain project databases, and prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports
- Support ongoing predator research, including development and/or refinement of innovative surveillance and management techniques, and assist with injured wildlife recovery and transport
This list is representative, not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned.
ABOUT WILDLIFE INNOVATIONS
Wildlife Innovations (WI) is a DGS-certified small/micro business specializing in wildlife research, surveillance, monitoring, and management. WI provides support for a variety of tasks, such as listed species protection and recovery, environmental compliance, wildlife rescue, hazing, and transport, human health and safety, and conflict and damage mitigation. Our work spans across a diverse set of landscapes, including construction sites, airports, military installations, ports, and state and city parks and beaches. Our approach is grounded in the relationships between species in local ecosystems and the stressors created by human modification of the landscape; for this, we use a combination of historic and advanced monitoring, surveillance, and management techniques to help resolve wildlife conflicts, improve outcomes, and support the recovery of focal species. Most staff are cross-trained across multiple projects and techniques to provide more adaptive and expedited responses
QUALIFICATIONS
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Required
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Preferred: Highlight any that apply
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Working conditions
- Variable schedule, including swing and split shifts, day and nighttime operations, and travel between multiple sites in a day; long, continuous survey periods outdoors in all weather and at varying noise levels
- Hike up to 10 miles per day (typically 1 to 2) over uneven terrain, sometimes in waders or mud boots, carrying up to 50 lb; stand, walk, reach, and stoop throughout the day
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Salary: $70,000–$110,000 per year, depending on experience. Candidates with certification and permit standing, procurement and program development experience, and multi-project management are compensated at the upper end of the range.
- Benefits: health plan, paid time off, sick leave, and retirement plan eligibility (subject to length of employment). Eligibility for Bonuses (subject to employee and company performance)
- Start date: Dependent upon qualifications of candidate
Apply for this role
The application form asks for your contact details, the permits you hold and where you can work. Please be specific about your relevant experience and include permit numbers where you have them, as applications that do not address these will not be considered.
THE ROLE
Wildlife Innovations is building a bench of experienced avian biologists we can call on for nesting bird surveys, preconstruction avian surveys, nest and burrow monitoring, and compliance monitoring for sensitive and special-status species across coastal Southern California. Assignments are matched to your availability and to project schedules; there is no minimum hours commitment.
This is a flexible, project-based role well suited to a biologist who wants variable hours, the ability to pick up assignments around an existing schedule, and potential opportunities for specialized training. Further, biologists who demonstrate exemplary performance may be offered the chance to join the Wildlife Innovations’ full-time team.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Conduct pre-construction and nesting bird surveys, adhering to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, California Fish and Game Code, and project-specific permit conditions
- Identify Southern California birds by sight and sound, including raptors, corvids, shorebirds, and the special-status species relevant to each site
- Locate, flag, age, and/or monitor active nests; establish and enforce mitigation measures (when applicable) and communicate results in real time to project biologists and construction crews
- Monitor burrows (e.g., burrowing owl) for occupancy, and support monitoring for California Least Tern, Western Snowy Plover, and other special status species as needed
- Collect georeferenced field data digitally and contribute to technical survey summary reports
This list is representative, not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned.
ABOUT WILDLIFE INNOVATIONS
We are a DGS-certified small/micro business specializing in wildlife research, monitoring, and management. Our mission is to support the protection and recovery of listed species, help clients maintain environmental compliance, rescue injured and contaminated wildlife, and mitigate risks to human health and safety. We work across active construction sites, airports, military installations, ports, and state and city parks, with most of our staff cross-trained across various projects, including those requiring specialized training and certifications.
Our work is grounded in understanding the relationships between species in local ecosystems and the stressors created by human modification of the landscape. We use advanced monitoring and surveillance techniques to design strategies that resolve wildlife conflicts, reduce impacts during construction, improve management outcomes, and support the recovery of focal species.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Required
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Preferred: Highlight any that apply
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Skills and abilities
- Proficiency with physical and digital surveillance equipment (day/night optics, trail cameras, ect.)
- Proficiency in independently conducting field operations while maintaining environmental compliance
- Strong technical writing; clear, prompt communication with project leads, clients, and construction crews
- Works efficiently and independently in the field; MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
Physical requirements
- Hike up to 5 miles per day over uneven terrain; stand, walk, reach, and stoop throughout the day
- Work outdoors in all weather (heat, rain, fog, wind) and conduct surveys for long, continuous periods
COMPENSATION AND ENGAGEMENT
- Pay: $32–$75 per hour, depending on experience, permits held, and lead responsibilities. Biologists listed on 10(a)(1)(A) permits and those who can lead crews are compensated at the upper end of the range.
- Schedule: Project-based and as-needed. We give as much notice as project schedules allow; however, short-notice clearance surveys are common during nesting season.
- Engagement: On-call basis
Apply for this role
The application form asks for your contact details, the permits you hold and where you can work. Please be specific about your relevant experience and include permit numbers where you have them, as applications that do not address these will not be considered.
THE ROLE
The Dog Team Handler is the primary handler for Wildlife Innovations’ Canada Goose hazing dog team, the front line of an adaptive, science-based goose management program in city and state parks across the San Francisco Bay Area. Working alongside our wildlife biologists, you run daily patrols of high-conflict parks and waterfronts, deter geese with your assigned dog, and document what works, so the program stays humane, regulatory-compliant, and driven by evidence.
This is a field-intensive job and a partnership with a working dog: you house, care for, and maintain the training of your assigned dog, and the dog’s performance is part of your record. Handlers who perform well have a path into management roles and into our other conservation and wildlife management programs.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Handle, care for, and maintain the training of the hazing dog team; work with the wildlife biologist to deter Canada Geese from high-conflict areas
- Conduct daily hazing patrols in assigned parks and waterfronts; digitally document goose activity, dog performance, and hazing efficacy
- Assist WI wildlife biologists with data collection and other program tasks
- Operate and maintain field equipment, including company trucks, boats, UAS, and ATVs, in accordance with safety and permit requirements
- Prepare concise field logs and contribute to technical reports and client deliverables
- Coordinate with park staff and the public to keep the program transparent and compliant
This list is representative, not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned.
ABOUT WILDLIFE INNOVATIONS
We are a DGS-certified small/micro business specializing in wildlife research, monitoring, and management. We support the protection and recovery of listed species, help clients maintain environmental compliance, rescue injured and contaminated wildlife, and mitigate risks to human health and safety, working with state and federal agencies, municipalities, and other stakeholders across construction sites, airports, military installations, ports, and city and state parks. Our approach is grounded in the relationships between species in local ecosystems and the stressors created by human modification of the landscape; we use advanced monitoring and surveillance techniques to resolve wildlife conflicts, improve management outcomes, and support the recovery of focal species. Most staff are cross-trained across projects, with strong mentorship, professional development, and clear paths for advancement.
QUALIFICATIONS
| Required | Preferred: Highlight any that apply |
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Working conditions
- Hike, boat, or wade in variable terrain and weather; lift and carry 50 lb or more
- Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as goose activity and the project schedule require
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Salary: $65,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience. Handlers with a proven goose-hazing dog, prior Canada Goose management work, or a record of training other handlers are compensated at the upper end of the range.
- Benefits: health plan, paid time off, sick leave, and retirement plan eligibility (subject to length of employment); bonus eligibility (subject to employee and company performance).
- Professional development: reimbursement for approved training, certifications, and continuing education, including dog-handling and field certifications.
- Start date: as soon as the successful candidate is selected.
Apply for this role
The application form asks for your contact details, the permits you hold and where you can work. Please be specific about your relevant experience and include permit numbers where you have them, as applications that do not address these will not be considered.
THE ROLE
The Wildlife Biologist / Management Specialist is a field lead on a comprehensive, adaptive Canada Goose management program in San Mateo County, addressing human health and safety conflicts in city and state parks while protecting the sensitive resources those parks exist to conserve. The program pairs active deterrence and hazing with nest surveys, egg addling, biological monitoring, and public outreach, and every management decision is driven by the data you collect.
Day to day, the work combines hazing with audial and visual deterrents, high-powered lasers, aerial and amphibious drones, and boats; nest surveys and mapping; direct and digital wildlife surveillance; data collection and reporting; and close coordination with a dog hazing team, park staff, and the public. For biologists who prove themselves, this program is a doorway into the rest of our Bay Area portfolio: threatened and endangered birds, birds of prey, wild pigs, mountain lions, and other predators, with satellite tracking, thermal optics, remote-controlled vehicles, and remote sensing in the toolkit.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Implement Canada Goose deterrence and hazing under established protocols and permit conditions, using audial and visual deterrents, high-powered lasers, aerial and amphibious drones, and boats
- Conduct Canada Goose nest surveys, nest mapping, and egg addling
- Run direct and digital wildlife surveys and surveillance; collect data digitally to support adaptive management decisions
- Prepare field logs and contribute to technical reports and client deliverables
- Lead public education and outreach on humane goose management; coordinate field operations with the dog hazing team, park staff, and other project staff
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and permit conditions
This list is representative, not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned.
ABOUT WILDLIFE INNOVATIONS
We are a DGS-certified small/micro business specializing in wildlife research, monitoring, and management. We support the protection and recovery of listed species, help clients maintain environmental compliance, rescue injured and contaminated wildlife, and mitigate risks to human health and safety, working with state and federal agencies, municipalities, and other stakeholders across construction sites, airports, military installations, ports, and city and state parks. Our approach is grounded in the relationships between species in local ecosystems and the stressors created by human modification of the landscape; we use advanced monitoring and surveillance techniques to resolve wildlife conflicts, improve management outcomes, and support the recovery of focal species. Most staff are cross-trained across projects, with strong mentorship, professional development, and clear paths for advancement.
QUALIFICATIONS
| Required | Preferred: Highlight any that apply |
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Working conditions
- Variable schedule driven by goose activity: early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Long field days outdoors in all weather, often working independently in remote areas and from boats, vehicles, and on foot over uneven terrain
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Salary: $65,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience. Candidates with hands-on goose hazing, MBTA permit experience, a Part 107 certificate, or a record of managing field projects are compensated at the upper end of the range.
- Benefits: health plan, paid time off, sick leave, and retirement plan eligibility (subject to length of employment); bonus eligibility (subject to employee and company performance).
- Professional development: reimbursement for approved training, certifications, and continuing education; structured mentorship and paths for advancement.
- Start date: immediate, or as negotiated with the successful candidate.
Apply for this role
The application form asks for your contact details, the permits you hold and where you can work. Please be specific about your relevant experience and include permit numbers where you have them, as applications that do not address these will not be considered.
Wildlife Innovations is hiring a full-time Avian Predator Biologist to protect nesting Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area in San Luis Obispo County, beginning 1 March 2027. You will run day and night surveillance of raptors, owls, and other avian predators across the nesting colonies, investigate depredation events, identify the individuals and species driving nest and chick loss, and work alongside senior staff to haze, trap, band, and translocate high-threat predators to help maximize nesting success.
The Project
Oceano Dunes SVRA supports an important Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern nesting area on the central California coast; however, predation can be a leading cause of nest and chick loss within the site. Wildlife Innovations monitors avian predator activity across the nesting areas and surrounding habitat, evaluates the threat each predator poses, and manages high-threat individuals through live-trapping, banding, and translocation. Surveillance data drive management on site and are used to refine predator management techniques for tern and plover programs across the region. The biologist in this role will work closely with Wildlife Innovations peronnel, Oceano Dunes SVRA staff, and contractors, participate in weekly coordination meetings, help train park staff on avian predator identification and biology, digitally log detailed field data, and contribute to the year-end summary report.
About Wildlife Innovations
Wildlife Innovations is a DGS-certified small/micro business specializing in wildlife research, surveillance, monitoring, and management. WI provides support for a variety of tasks, such as listed species protection and recovery, environmental compliance, wildlife rescue, hazing, and transport, human health and safety, and conflict and damage mitigation. Our work spans across a diverse set of landscapes, including construction sites, airports, military installations, ports, and state and city parks and beaches. Our approach is grounded in the relationships between species in local ecosystems and the stressors created by human modification of the landscape; for this, we use a combination of historic and advanced monitoring, surveillance, and management techniques to help resolve wildlife conflicts, improve outcomes, and support the recovery of focal species. Most staff are cross-trained across multiple projects and techniques to provide more adaptive and expedited responses
What You Will Do
- Conduct diurnal and nocturnal avian predator and prey surveys by sight, sound, and sign using daytime optics, night-vision and thermal equipment, and cellular cameras;
- Locate and map nests, investigate predation sites, and use physical evidence and camera data to identify the predator species and/or individuals responsible;
- Assist senior biologists with hazing, deterrence, and the trapping, banding, and translocation of high-threat raptors and owls;
- Deploy, operate, and maintain cellular cameras and solar power systems, and transfer and review footage via cellular networks or SD cards;
- Digitally record observations in the field and assist in maintaining the project database;
- Coordinate daily with Wildlife Innovations personnel and Oceano Dunes SVRA staff and attend weekly coordination meetings; and
- Prepare detailed technical reports and contribute to the year-end summary.
This description is not a comprehensive list of every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the position; duties may be adjusted to meet project needs.
Qualifications
Two qualifications are non-negotiable and will be used to screen applications: expert identification of avian predators (especially raptors and owls) in Southern and Central California by sight, sound, and track, to species and (where applicable) age and sex; and demonstrated four-wheel-drive experience in sand, mud, and/or steep terrain. Applicants who do not clearly demonstrate both will not be considered.
| Required | Preferred | |
| ▪ Bachelor’s degree or higher in Wildlife Science or a closely related field from an accredited university;
▪ Minimum three (3) years of applicable professional experience conducting wildlife surveys, collecting and logging detailed field data, and preparing technical reports; ▪ High proficiency identifying avian predator species in Southern and Central California by sight, sound, and track, to species, age, and sex; ▪ Extensive four-wheel-drive experience in steep, muddy, and/or sandy conditions; ability to perform basic vehicle maintenance (fluids, tire pressure, changing or repairing a tire); and a California driver’s license, or ability to obtain one upon hire; ▪ Experience deploying, operating, and maintaining trail cameras, including solar power systems, battery changes, and footage review via cellular or SD card; ▪ Experience using and maintaining binoculars and spotting scopes; ▪ Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint); excellent written and oral communication; strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills; ability to meet tight deadlines; and a high level of confidentiality; ▪ A team-oriented, safety-conscious, and patient approach, with enthusiasm for learning new techniques. |
▪ Experience trapping, handling, banding, tagging, or placing transmitters on raptors or other avian species;
▪ Experience using and maintaining night optics (night-vision goggles, IR lights, and thermal scopes); ▪ Hold or are currently listed on a Federal Bird Banding Permit (or sub-permit standing), Scientific Collecting Permit, or other relevant state or federal permits; ▪ M.S. in Wildlife Science or a related field from an accredited university; ▪ Experience working in sensitive-species habitat, particularly tern and plover nesting areas; ▪ Project management experience, including lead preparation of annual reports, proposals, and wildlife mitigation plans, scheduling and training of personnel, and program development; ▪ >2 years experience conducting environmental consulting; ▪ ArcGIS or other mapping software experience or certification; ▪ High proficiency identifying mammalian predator species in Southern and Central California by sight, sound, and track, to species; ▪ FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; and ▪ Willingness to attend and present at professional conferences. |
Working Conditions
Field position on a variable schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays during the nesting season, with surveys that can run for long, continuous periods. Expect heat, rain, fog, and wind; standing, walking, reaching, and stooping throughout the day; one to two miles of hiking may be required on some days; carrying up to 50 lbs over uneven terrain, in sand, or in waders or mud boots; varying noise levels, including off-highway vehicle activity; same-day travel between multiple sites; and extended office work for data entry and reporting.
Compensation & Benefits
The annual salary range is $70,000 – $90,000, depending on experience. Candidates who possess more of the “Preferred” qualifications should expect to be placed toward the upper end of the range. Benefits include a health plan, paid sick leave, and SEP IRA eligibility once the employment minimum is met.
Apply for this role
The application form asks for your contact details, the permits you hold and where you can work. Please be specific about your relevant experience and include permit numbers where you have them, as applications that do not address these will not be considered.