Ecologist

Institute for Applied Ecology - Santa Fe, NM, United States

Position Title: Ecologist

Position Type: Permanent Position

Application Review Begins: Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Final date to receive applications: Monday, February 16, 2026

Institution: Institute for Applied Ecology

Department/Division: Southwest Branch

Field (e.g., systematics):

City: Santa Fe, NM, United States

General Information: Start Date: 3/23/2026

Location:

Santa Fe, NM (Hybrid; Mon, Tue, Thu in the office; Wed and Fri remote optional)
Status:
Full-time, regular, non-exempt
Job classification:
Project Manager I

The Ecologist position is a dynamic role supporting the coordination, implementation and outreach for native plant and pollinator restoration, research, and education projects. Projects are diverse and include tasks such as habitat and pollinator monitoring, seed scouting and collection, rare plant monitoring, volunteer coordination, and plant propagation and education in correctional facilities and schools. Candidates well suited for the position will have excellent organization and communication skills, experience with ecological monitoring and working with partners (i.e., public and private agencies/organizations, volunteers, students of all ages and backgrounds, and the general public).

The Ecologist oversees volunteers (including participants in a new community science program), coordinates and supervises subcontractors, technicians, and volunteers, and supports restoration projects as needed. This is a full-time, regular position that requires occasional overnight camping and non-traditional work hours, sometimes inclusive of weekend and evening hours.

View the full job ad here: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-

Qualifications/Requirements: Studies have shown that BIPOC, women and other marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

Veterans are encouraged to apply.

• Minimum Qualifications
• A minimum of two years of ecological work experience
• A minimum of two years of project management experience
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills and experience working on a team
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to navigate to field sites using tablets or GPS
• Data collection and management using ArcGIS, Excel, and/or ESRI products
• Experience identifying plants or pollinators in the field and familiarity with using a dichotomous key
• Ability to work long hours in adverse weather conditions while maintaining attention to the task and safety, including bent-over, kneeling, or standing positions for significant periods.
  
  Note:
  
  field component of the job is >30%.
• Ability to work in and respond to adverse field conditions which may include extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife
• Current U.S. driver’s license and acceptable driving record

• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience organizing, training, and communicating with volunteers
• Experience with rare plant surveys
• Field experience working in Southwest habitats and familiarity with the flora
• Experience with science education and outreach

• Project management (35%)
• Tracks deliverables, project work plans, and budgets with support from supervisor
• Implements project work plans, including field work components and restoration tasks, with support from supervisor
• Support native plant materials research such as germination trials and field experiments (i.e., native hedgerows and cover crops for pollinators, etc. for the Native Crop Toolkit project)
• Lead the Rare Plant Watch community science project working closely with partners
• Support projects such as native pollinator projects (River for Pollinators, Nokomis Silverspot, Yuma Skipper);
  Education…