Senior Restoration Ecologist

Job Title

Senior Restoration Ecologist

$100,000+

Salaried

Western Region, US (Primary)

Regular

1

Exempt

Bachelor's Degree

1/19/2026

Western Eco Systems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for a Full-time
Senior Ecologist focusing on restoration ecology and biodiversity net positive initiatives. All WEST ecologists are supported by a team of technical and non-technical staff, which sets new team members up for success. Beyond science, we encourage and support participation in conservation actions at the local and national level and have developed a company-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program. We are seeking a qualified Senior Ecologist to provide leadership and help WEST grow our Biodiversity Enhancement and Ecosystem Services (BEES) program.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. Since its founding in 1990, the WEST team has shaped the foundation of what we do, and what we believe in through our core values and key principles. Our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment.

Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

The minimum base salary for this position is $100,000, plus annual bonus. Salary may vary based on education, knowledge, and experience.

Location is flexible, although a location in the western region of the United States is preferred. The position will require occasional overnight travel.

• Project Management:
  Identify strategic opportunities, develop proposals and project budgets, oversee project execution, and serve as the primary point of contact for clients and agency staff for projects with an emphasis on ecological restoration planning and monitoring, and/or ecosystem health assessments informing biodiversity net positive initiatives.
• Field Surveys:
  Plan and conduct/lead ecological restoration-related fieldwork, including baseline and post-construction site assessments, natural vegetation community mapping and characterizations, quantitative and qualitative vegetation studies, and ecological/botanical surveys.
• Project Planning:
  Work directly with WEST clients and agency personnel in the energy industry to identify and develop practical and ecologically minded site restoration specifications, seed mixes, biodiversity enhancements, monitoring protocols, and vegetation management plans for use during a project's planning, construction, and operations phases.
• Vegetation Monitoring:
  Lead plot-based long-term vegetation data collection for analysis and reporting.
• Lead site evaluations and provide results and recommendations for adaptive vegetation management to clients.
• Lead audits/inspections, troubleshooting, and reports of site preparation and seeding success criteria during construction and post-construction.
• Conferences:
  Attend and participate, especially through speaking and presentations, in industry and subject matter conferences.
• Potentially assist the broader WEST services group with desktop- and field-based habitat (biological and water resources) site assessments, wetland delineations, rare plant surveys, and/or wildlife surveys (based on interest and qualifications).
• Help maintain WEST's position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in botany, restoration ecology, natural resources, environmental science, biological science, ecology, or equivalent.
• Previous consulting or vegetation management experience (15+ years), practicing applied restoration ecology, including developing restoration plans and adaptive management strategies, and conducting botanical-related surveys such as vegetation sampling and/or monitoring, plant community association/mapping, or rare plant surveys.
• Demonstrated experience building a team of ecological professionals working on fast‑paced projects in the western US.
• Experience working in the energy or mining industries with an emphasis on vegetation management planning and ecosystem services is preferred but not required.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail and accurately report scientific methods and results of field studies.
• Data analysis experience is preferred but not required.
• Track record of maintaining positive relationships with coworkers, clients, and project stakeholders.
• Strong time management, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines.
• Ability to follow instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive feedback…