Field Ecologist

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• 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 a background check, be familiar using GPS and tablets to document detailed environmental and project information, and able to prepare survey reports/report of findings and support project managers when not in the field.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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 areas in the southwest.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently as well as with supervision.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a clean driving record.
• Able to pass a federal background check.
• Able to pass a drug test.

DAWSON is an Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DAWSON offers a 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 gives preference to internal candidates. If no internal candidate meets our qualifications, external candidates will be given consideration.

DAWSONs career portal utilizes a third-party applicant tracking system that allows us to send and receive messages, along with our official DAWSON email addresses. Recruiting emails from DAWSON will only come from @dawsonohana.com or @msg.clrco.com. DAWSON will never: Ask you to send money or purchase equipment as part of the hiring process; Require you to download any apps to interview such as Teams, WhatsApp, etc.; Conduct interviews via Teams chat or messaging-only platforms; or Request banking information outside of secure onboarding steps. To verify current opportunities, use this official careers page. If you are ever unsure about DAWSON roles and communications, contact us at comms@dawsonohana.com before taking action.