Field Ecologist

ERG is a research and consulting firm that provides a wide range of support to federal, state, and commercial clients. ERG offers multidisciplinary teams with nationally recognized skills in engineering, science, economics, public health, informational technology, and communications. We hire people with the best minds and then provide them with a vibrant and flexible environment in which to develop their careers. The qualified individual must be highly motivated with the skills to prioritize, perform, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

PG Environmental, a Division of ERG, seeks highly motivated Field Ecologists to support our ongoing ecological monitoring work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program during the 2024 field season. Each team consists of one crew lead and two technicians. Together, they will assess the health of BLM lands across Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming using the AIM strategy and methodology. Crews follow established field protocols to conduct vegetation identification of species, gather species cover and composition data, collect soil stability and soil profile descriptions of plant production, collect data utilizing ruggedized tablets, and assess special sage grouse habitat. The crew may also assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, and forestry. The crew member will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge of common species.

PG is currently soliciting multiple ecological monitoring field ecologist positions; both crew leads and technicians. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/.

The field season is expected to go through August/September of 2024, and there may be potential to work on other ERG projects based on work performance and skill. 

Start Dates:

· February 26, 2024, Golden, CO positions (only one spot left! Please use 'other: specify in cover letter option below for this position)

· April 1, 2024, for positions based out of Salt Lake City

· May 1, 2024, for positions based out of Golden These positions have been filled!

You do not have to live in these locations, but you would be required to start and end your hitches there with the rest of your crew.

Please state your desired start date and availability in the cover letter.

During periods of fieldwork, camping will be required, typically on a rotating 8 days (Tues-Tues) and 6 days off schedule throughout the summer. However, depending on plot completion and goals, you must be willing to stay in the field for up to 10 days at a time. 

Apply fast if you have a preferred location; they are filling quickly!

Job Description:

• Conduct field work consisting of vegetation sampling, plant identification, and soil classification at sites located throughout Arizona, Wyoming, and/or Utah
• Participate in pre- and post-hitch activities, including hitch planning and logistics, plot tracking, data submission, data QA/QC, cleaning and maintenance of trucks and gear, and reporting
• Drive and navigate to remote sites in a 4WD vehicle, often on unpaved and unimproved roads for extended periods of time (2-3 hours)
• Camp for up to eight days at a time (a ‘Hitch’), often on remote BLM land, with little to no amenities (i.e. not a designated campsite). Backcountry camping/backpacking is not required; crews will car camp next to the work vehicle
• Hike on rough, uneven terrain (up to 6 miles day) in variable weather conditions, carrying sampling gear weighing up to 40 lbs

Qualifications and Skills:

• B.S. or working toward a degree in a natural science field
• Field experience, including the ability to work in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time, including extreme heat and monsoonal rains, with the possibility of encountering hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions)
• Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (up to 10 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
• Be physically capable of standing and walking (up to 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending and crouching for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds in variable weather conditions, including heat upwards of 100-degrees (F)
• Must love the outdoors and be passionate about learning the world of botany, soils, and rangeland ecology
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and adapt to changing conditions
• Quality data collection skills and attention to detail
• Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record
• Ability to pass background checks (federal, state, education, criminal, and driving record)
• Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

Ideal Candidates will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree, at minimum, with degree in ecology, botany, soil science, agriculture, range, plant ecology, natural resource management, or a related field
• Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Defensive Driver Training certificates
• At least one year of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens
• Familiarity with Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming flora (generally sagebrush steppe, Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and Sonoran Desert)
• Experience or education using taxonomic soil keys or equivalent mechanism to identify ecological sites and using soil series descriptions or equivalent soil datasets
• Experience digging quality soil pits to characterize and document soil horizons and hand texturing various types of soils
• Crew Leads should have experience managing field crews or several seasons of conducting field work. Ideal candidates would have strong plant identification skills
• UTV and trailer towing experience. Please highlight if you have this experience

This position is eligible for health insurance, overtime, accrued sick leave and 401k participation after four months of employment.

ERG is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable EEOC and affirmative action regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. As such, successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse and inclusive teams.

Please be aware, the only authentic corporate domain for ERG is https://www.erg.com. ERG may, on occasion, screen applicants via telephone or video interviews via Skype, Teams, GoToMeeting, or another type of video platform. However, any candidate extended a job offer might be asked to meet in person with an ERG employee before providing confidential personal information associated with new employment.

If you’re a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ERG’s online application process as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources via email at [email protected] or call (781) 674-7293.

As ERG is a friendly, flexible, inclusive environment and has clients who are committed to making the world a better place, ERGers are incredibly dedicated. We promote and recognize principles of fairness, equity, and social justice in the work we do, the partnerships we foster, and the culture we value both within and outside of our organization.