East Tennessee Stewardship Ecologist

Job Information

Opening Date/Time: 02/24/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time: 03/16/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly): $6,544.00 - $10,363.00

Salary (Annually): $78,528.00 - $

Job Type: Full-Time

City, State

Location:

Knoxville, TN

Department: Environment and Conservation

Department of Environment & Conservation, Natural Areas Division, Knox County

There is the ability for some remote office work as needed. This position will work a typical 37.5‑hour week and will be required to travel around the region. Occasional long days and some overnight travels are expected.

For more information, visit the link below:

https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..pdf

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or higher degree in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability or applied science in sustainability, life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics, or biophysics), environmental health, pre‑medicine, engineering or other acceptable science or natural resource related field and five years of full‑time professional environmental program, natural resource conservation work or full‑time professional work that involved ensuring compliance with radiation safety standards and/or regulations.

An acceptable environmental, physical, or life science degree will be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.

Substitution of a Specific Bachelor’s Degree for

Experience:

A bachelor’s degree in health physics or nuclear engineering may substitute for one year of the required experience in the Division of Radiological Health.

Necessary Special

Qualifications:

Applicants for this class must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

The Stewardship Ecologist oversees land management and ecological restoration activities at natural areas from the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Stewardship Ecologist will be the "hands‑on" manager of these sites and needs to be comfortable with the tools of the trade (herbicide, chainsaws, prescribed fire, GIS, and hiking boots). Most work will be field‑based and an office location will be provided to facilitate administrative work, such as writing management plans (TDEC has offices in Knoxville and Johnson City).

• Working knowledge of ecological concepts of Tennessee's fauna, flora, and natural communities
• Familiarity with conservation issues in East Tennessee
• Possess or have ability to obtain certification related to prescribed fire for management of conservation lands, including writing burn prescriptions or natural area management plans
• Experience writing and implementing integrated pest management plans for treatment of invasive exotic species
• Experience or ability to conduct species monitoring and searches
• Ability to conduct public outreach related to natural areas preservation
• Familiarity with ESRI's Geographic Information System (GIS) software and mapping mobile applications
• Ability to operate various equipment used in land management (e.g., tractors, chainsaws, mowers, herbicide sprayers)
• Ability to conduct field work and site assessments, sometimes in difficult terrain and the ability to meet physical standards of arduous wildland fire certification

• Computer/Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax
• Telephone/Cell Phone/ Pager/ Two‑way Radios
• Watercraft/ Motor Vehicle/ Tractors/ All‑Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
• Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/ Tools
• Radiation Detection Equipment/GPS/PPE/Power Equipment and Hand Tools

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.