Field Ecologist

DAWSON is a Native Hawaiian global business enterprise serving the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal government clients while benefiting the Native Hawaiian community.

Aloha (sharing of life, embodying humility and respect) is one of DAWSON's core values. Aloha is the common spirit that bonds our 'ohana together, guiding us as we treat our employees, families, clients, and partners with trust, understanding, and compassion. We strive to live aloha every day, and we are committed to sharing aloha across the globe.

Current job opportunities with DAWSON are posted here as they become available. Check back often for new positions!

Mahalo for your interest in this role! Please see the full position description below and click Start Your Application when ready. For more information about DAWSON, please visit

• Salary range -$50,000 -$54,080
• Location - Southwest locations - Arizona, NM, Colorado and Texas
• Travel - Up to 50% travel during the summer and DAWSON will cover travel costs
• Benefits - Best-in-class benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; paid vacation and sick leave; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and a flexible work environment. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including critical illness coverage; accident insurance; identity theft coverage; pet insurance, and more.

DAWSON is seeking an entry-level Field Ecologist to join our conservation and planning team.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position working on multiple field projects throughout the U.S., with a focus in the southwest, but field assignments can be in other areas of the U.S. The ideal candidate will be motivated and a self-starter, be safety oriented, and hold two years of previous experience working in the field as an ecologist/biologist/botanist. Candidates should be familiar with common field survey methods, conducting vegetation inventory, common habitat restoration techniques.

Candidates should have experience surveying for wildlife, or rare plants, or conducting wetland delineations, environmental monitoring, raptor and MBTA surveys. Candidates should be comfortable working around heavy equipment, be able to work independently, have a clean driving record, be able to pass background check, be familiar using GPS and tablets to document detailed environmental and project information, and be able to prepare survey reports/report of findings and support project managers when not in the field.

• Field Surveys:
  Conduct botanical, wildlife, pre-construction surveys for nesting birds, and/or wetland delineations with at least one other biologist across a variety of diverse terrains and weather conditions.
• Endangered Species and Habitat Surveys:
  Perform presence/absence and protocol-level surveys for specialized species, requiring Recovery permits as needed.
• Data Collection and Management:
  Utilize ESRI software and other tools for data collection, quality control (QC), and report writing.
• Compliance Support:
  Provide biological desktop reviews, create permitting packages, assist with GIS mapping, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Project Oversight:
  Assist with proposal submissions and various project planning.
• Team
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Maintain open and concise communication with the project team, contractors, and clients.
• Reporting:
  Assist with the preparation of technical studies, daily monitoring reports, and compliance documentation.
• Collect project-related data, which may include supporting surveys for listed species; surveying out in front of construction, document potential environmental best management practices non-compliance and working with Government Point of Contact on certain projects.
• Effectively communicate with a variety of personnel working on the project, including clients, engineers, stakeholders, government personnel, land owners, construction personnel, and colleagues.

• BS in ecology, biological sciences or related field.
• Two years of directly related biological/ecological experience supporting field projects.
• Two years experience surveying for wildlife, or rare plants, or conducting wetland delineations, environmental monitoring, raptor and MBTA surveys.
• Ability to document important field findings accurately.
• Be willing to work in inclement weather conditions (extreme heat, rain, or cold) and possibly traverse steep terrain in some locations. Candidates must be able to work independently. The position requires the successful candidate to be in the field for several, typically non-consecutive weeks during the growing season (travel estimated to be 50% during the growing season), and less frequently outside of the growing season.
• Effective written/verbal communication and organization/analytical skills; experience recording/writing detailed technical data and reports a plus.
• Familiarity understanding taxonomy and have good plant identification skills for…