1099 consultant · ~130–710 hrs per funded award · $50–$80/hr · Remote (U.S.)

Senior ESA Biologist / Freshwater Mussel Specialist

Bring real Endangered Species Act practice to species status assessments, life-history and stressor analysis, and freshwater mussel and bat conservation work for federal field offices.

About Precision Federal

Precision Federal is a small business building AI, data and software systems for government agencies. The company’s founder loves God, and the company is built on Christian faith: every number we publish is real, every claim we make is verifiable, and the work is done with excellence as service to God. Faith is welcome here and openly shared.

How this role works

You join the bench. You apply with your hourly rate, weekly hours and start time, and we may name you on proposals that match this role. If we don't win, you owe nothing.
A contract is awarded. The award funds the team named in the proposal. Your engagement begins at the hourly rate we agreed on.
You work remote, paid from the contract. ~130–710 hrs per funded award — and if no award ever funds, you owe nothing and lose nothing.

What you'll do

Own species status, life history and threat analysis for listed and at-risk species
Identify environmental stressors and describe how each affects an individual animal’s ability to complete its life cycle
Develop conservation approaches — best management practices and project design criteria
Define monitoring and reporting that documents effects and evaluates strategy effectiveness
Review every deliverable that carries a biological claim before it goes to the Government

Required qualifications

10+ years professional practice under the Endangered Species Act — Section 7 consultation, species status assessments, recovery planning, or habitat conservation planning
Graduate degree in biology, ecology, wildlife science, malacology or a closely related field
Published or agency-delivered work on listed species — freshwater mussels, bats, or comparable taxa
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (U.S. person)
Willing to be named on a federal proposal with a one-page resume, and to sign a short letter of commitment

Preferred qualifications

Freshwater mussel (Unionidae) survey, identification or life-history expertise
Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, or other listed chiropteran experience
Prior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state natural heritage program, or USACE work
Familiarity with ECOS, GBIF, or NatureServe occurrence data
Ohio River basin or Midwest field experience

Compensation & structure

1099 consulting engagement. $50–$80 per hour; you tell us the rate you are asking when you apply. Hours are funded by federal contract awards — this seat is scoped at roughly 130–710 hours per funded award, fully remote. Work and pay begin only if the contract is awarded — no award, no hours, no obligation.

Join the bench — Senior ESA Biologist / Freshwater Mussel Specialist

Every application is read.

This is a bench, not a job offer. Work starts when we win a contract that needs you.
We may name you on proposals. If that contract is awarded, you do the role at the rate and hours we agree on.
Paid hourly as a 1099 contractor; full-time roles may be W-2. If your background fits, we will email you.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

Work authorization *

LinkedIn or portfolio link

What state do you live in? *

Resume (PDF or Word) *

Questions

Answer from your own experience. A few sentences each is plenty; be specific and tell us what you did yourself.

1. Cover letter. In your own words, tell us about yourself: your background, the work you do best, the values that guide your work, and why this role interests you. *

2. Describe the species status assessment, Section 7 consultation or recovery plan you owned that is most like this role: the species, the stressors you analyzed, the conservation measures you developed, and the agency outcome. *

3. Which methods and data sources have you used hands-on, such as freshwater mussel survey and identification, bat acoustic or mist-net surveys, the SSA framework, and ECOS, GBIF or NatureServe data, and for how many years? *

Rate and availability

Your hourly rate (USD) *

Target rate: $50–$80 an hour.

Hours per week you could give on an awarded contract (all part-time, up to 30) *

If you are named and we win in the next 12 months, how soon could you start? *

May we name you on proposals for this role, and if we win, will you do the work at the rate we agree on? *

Precision Federal was founded on Christian values. Our faith in God shapes how we work: we talk openly about faith, and we share fellowship together. Taking part is always voluntary. As we get to know you, you’re always welcome to share your own faith with us.

Questions? careers@precisionfederal.com · See all open roles