Associate Ecologist/ Field Data Specialist

Application Deadline: 30 June 2025

Department: Vegetation

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Remote / CA, USA

Compensation: $31.51 - $39.83 / hour

Description

The CNPS Vegetation Program is hiring two full-time positions with varying experience levels. Both positions include at least 8 months of work, beginning in July 2025, and may be extended based upon future funding. The positions include a full-time, non-exempt Associate Vegetation Ecologist position and/or a full-time, exempt Vegetation Data Specialist position. If the applicant pool does not include candidates who meet the additional qualifications for the Vegetation Data Specialist role, CNPS may hire two Associate Vegetation Ecologist positions instead.  

Both roles are responsible for supporting regional vegetation inventory, classification, mapping, and monitoring efforts focused on either southwestern or northern California in addition to other areas, through the coordination of field missions and the promotion of the Manual of California Vegetation and Sensitive Natural Communities Initiative. Areas of focus for field work include a) Santa Barbara to San Diego and b) Northern California counties. Areas of focus for office work (data compilation, analysis, and reporting) extend across northern California (including Humboldt to Modoc and Siskiyou to El Dorado counties). These are remote, home-office based positions that require the final applicants to live and work in California. 
 
The positions require detail-oriented individuals to coordinate fieldwork and crews in vegetation inventory and mapping efforts, to assist in vegetation fieldwork in key ecological regions, to organize and integrate vegetation data in regional efforts, to analyze/classify and describe vegetation, and to increase training, outreach, and communication on California’s vegetation. The positions will typically work independently and have the opportunity to lead teams of 4+ staff, partners, and/or volunteers, in the office or in the field. Other responsibilities include training staff, students, and/or volunteers on data collection, data entry, vegetation community classification, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tasks using CNPS vegetation methods and related work (e.g., GIS range map production, conservation status ranks & rarity evaluation of vegetation types, plant identification & specimen collection).   
 
To qualify for the Vegetation Data Specialist position, candidates must have at least 6 years of professional experience in a directly related field (excluding college coursework) and prior experience supervising staff. The Vegetation Data Specialist may oversee up to 2 direct reports, providing mentorship and managing their performance. 

Location 

• These are full-time (40-hour week) remote, home office based positions, for residents of California. 
• Required travel and time in the field will account for 10 - 25% of annualized responsibilities. Work travel is paid. 
  • Field work is seasonal with the concentration of required travel occurring during Spring, Summer, and Fall.  

Additional Information  

• Fieldwork schedules may be rigorous (e.g. 10 hours/day during 4- or 7-day stints, with camping remotely or staying at motels/home rentals overnight). 
• A valid driver’s license is required. 
• Periodic travel to locations throughout California will be required. (Work travel is reimbursed.) 

Physical Requirements  This job requires prolonged sitting, use of computer and mouse, and the ability to participate in fieldwork including standing, hiking, driving, carrying gear (up to 1/3 of your body weight), and traveling off-trail in sites with variable grade. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

What You'll Do

Data Compilation, Classification, & Analysis (50-75%) 

• Manage, query, analyze and display spatial information using ESRI ArcPro, ArcMap, and other software 
• Photo-interpret imagery for vegetation patterns; and perform enhanced lifeform or fine-scale vegetation mapping. 
• Use existing vegetation data and literature to research and describe vegetation and environmental factors, and to develop GIS range maps and evaluate threats. 
• Assist with vegetation classification of alliances and associations in southern and northern California. 
• Assist in vegetation conservation status ranking and webinars on classifying, mapping, and evaluating sensitive vegetation.