Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Fireflies

Description:

JOB TITLE:Endangered Species Conservation Biologist – Fireflies

LOCATION:Remote position:Central U.S. Preferred: IA, IL, or MO. Will consider AR, IN, KS, KY,LA, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, WI. Candidates must have a personal office location suitable for work purposes, with broadband internet access, and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their assigned work location.

COMPENSATION:$2,749.93 per pay period, ~ $65,998.32 per year; starting commensurate with qualifications.

STATUS & SCHEDULE:Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week.

JOB START DATE:April 2026

Final date to receive applications:March 5, 2026

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at:xerces.org/jobs

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals. We are seeking a skilled and collaborative conservation biologist who can help us grow our firefly conservation initiative across the central U.S. and Canada.

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities.

Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

This new position reports to the Xerces Society Senior Conservation Biologist—Firefly Lead (Portland, OR, office) and works closely with the Conservation Biologist—Firefly Atlas Coordinator (Amherst, MA, office), other Xerces conservation staff, and project partners. The role focuses on expanding firefly conservation initiatives and Firefly Atlas engagement across the central U.S. and

Canada.

The Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will support Xerces’ firefly conservation initiative by engaging land managers, biologists, researchers, and community scientists; increasing awareness of firefly conservation issues; and helping develop evidence-based management guidance. Key responsibilities include coordinating with partners and land managers, recruiting and training Firefly Atlas participants, conducting firefly surveys, assisting with species identification, and providing technical expertise and support to staff, partners, and the public.

The position will also use Firefly Atlas data in addition to the other data sources and the scientific literature to inform best management practices, species assessments, and conservation recommendations for imperiled and data-deficient firefly species nationwide.

The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific background, excellent outreach and presentation skills, and experience with project management, field-based surveys, management guidance, and conservation planning. Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to build lasting partnerships with diverse stakeholders. This position is home-based in the central U.S.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with other Xerces Society Endangered Species staff, the person who fills this position will:

• Conduct targeted outreach to firefly researchers, land managers, and agency biologists, and community scientists to build partnerships and expand Firefly Atlas participation.
• Develop and deliver trainings (in-person and virtually) on firefly conservation, survey methods, and species identification.
• Conduct surveys for threatened and data-deficient firefly species using Firefly Atlas survey protocols, which includes habitat assessments and species documentation through photos and detailed…