Karst Biologist

Southeastern New Mexico | BLM-focused environmental compliance and karst resource support

Position overview

We are seeking a qualified Karst Biologist to support field investigations, environmental compliance, and resource protection efforts in southeastern New Mexico. The ideal candidate will have direct experience working with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) programs, karst terrain, cave and subsurface resource concerns, and biological resources associated with public lands in the Permian Basin region.

This position will support multidisciplinary project teams conducting biological surveys, karst feature evaluations, permitting support, mitigation planning, and agency coordination for energy, infrastructure, conservation, and land management projects. The role requires strong field skills, sound professional judgment, and familiarity with BLM expectations for identifying, evaluating, monitoring, and protecting cave and karst resources on public lands.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys in karst landscapes, including identification and documentation of caves, sinkholes, fissures, subsidence features, drainage features, and other indicators of karst potential.
• Evaluate biological resources associated with karst and cave environments, including bat habitat, cave-adapted invertebrate habitat, sensitive species concerns, and habitat disturbance risks.
• Support BLM-related environmental compliance efforts, including biological evaluations, resource reports, field documentation, mitigation recommendations, and project-specific permit support.
• Coordinate with project managers, geologists, biologists, environmental planners, agency staff, landowners, and construction personnel to ensure responsible project planning and resource protection.
• Review project layouts, access routes, well pads, pipelines, utility corridors, and other proposed disturbances for potential impacts to karst and biological resources.
• Prepare clear field notes, GPS data, maps, photo logs, survey reports, and technical memoranda suitable for agency review and client use.
• Apply appropriate safety practices for remote fieldwork in southeastern New Mexico, including heat, terrain, wildlife, vehicle, and subsurface hazard awareness.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or a closely related field.
• Professional experience conducting biological, ecological, or natural resource field surveys in arid, semi-arid, or karst landscapes.
• Working knowledge of BLM environmental review processes, public land management requirements, and field documentation expectations.
• Ability to identify and document karst features and assess potential biological resource concerns associated with cave and karst systems.
• Strong technical writing skills, including the ability to prepare concise survey reports, agency submittals, and client-ready deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and safely in remote field settings, often under variable weather, terrain, and schedule conditions.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites throughout southeastern New Mexico.

Preferred qualifications

• Direct experience working in the BLM Carlsbad Field Office area or other BLM-managed lands in southeastern New Mexico.
• Familiarity with karst potential classifications, gypsum karst systems, cave resource protection practices, and BLM cave and karst management guidance.
• Experience supporting oil and gas, pipeline, utility, transportation, or renewable energy projects in areas with sensitive karst or biological resources.
• Knowledge of New Mexico cave and karst ecology, including bats, cave invertebrates, groundwater vulnerability, and surface/subsurface disturbance concerns.
• Experience using GPS units, tablets, GIS applications, ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, or similar field data collection tools.
• Training or experience in cave safety, karst feature assessment, biological monitoring, threatened and endangered species surveys, or environmental compliance monitoring.
• Drone interpretation and FAA Part 107 license.

Required skills and competencies

• Strong field observation, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognize sensitive resource conditions and communicate concerns promptly and professionally.
• Clear written and verbal communication with clients, agencies, and internal project teams.
• Attention to detail when documenting locations, photographs, survey conditions, and agency-relevant findings.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and protection of fragile cave and karst resources.

Work environment

This position will include a mix of fieldwork, office-based reporting, project coordination, and agency/client communication. Field assignments may involve long days, remote travel, high temperatures, uneven terrain, and work near active industrial operations. Candidates must be comfortable working outdoors in southeastern New Mexico and following all applicable safety requirements.

Whitenton Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.