The Role
Field Ecologists will collect vegetation and soil data, manage field crews, and follow safety protocols while camping in remote locations. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, possess good communication skills, and have field experience in natural sciences.
Summary Generated by Built In
ERG is a research and consulting firm that provides a wide range of support to federal, state, and commercial clients. ERG offers multidisciplinary teams with nationally recognized skills in engineering, science, economics, public health, informational technology, and communications. We hire people with the best minds and then provide them with a vibrant and flexible environment in which to develop their careers. The qualified individual must be highly motivated with the skills to prioritize, perform, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
This is a field-based position that operates on a hitch schedule. The schedule is 8 days on (Tues-Tues) followed by 6 days off throughout the season. During field work, camping will be required. Camping is in remote locations, typically not at established campsites. Crews will consist of three individuals: one crew lead and two technicians. This job is ideal for someone passionate about learning the world of plants, soils, and rangeland ecology.
Positions Available:
Field Ecologists (Crew Leads and Technicians)
Base Location: Salt Lake City, UT
** You do not have to live in SLC, but you must start and end your hitches at this location.
Sampling occurs throughout Utah and Nevada
Start Dates (tentatively):
•March 2, 2026
•March 30, 2026
End Date: All positions go through end of August/Early Sept, with potential extension into September based on location, performance, and need.
Job Description:
- Follow field protocols to identify vegetation to species level
- Gather species cover and composition data
- Collect soil stability and soil profile descriptions
- Use ruggedized tablets for data collection
- Assess special sage grouse habitat
- Create Hitch Plans: evaluate sample locations, plan routes, and identify access concerns
- Communicate with local BLM Field Office staff and ERG Managers
- Oversee management of gear & sampling equipment
- Lead and manage a 3-person crew, ensuring health and safety protocols are followed The crew may also assist with other public land management projects involving wildlife, range, and forestry
- Crew members will continuously learn the local flora and build botanical knowledge of common species
Crew Lead (additional responsibilities):
Qualifications and Skills:
- B.S. or working toward a degree in a natural sciences field
- Field experience, including the ability to work in and respond to adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time including extreme heat, monsoonal rains, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions)
- Experience and willingness to spend multiple days (up to 8 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
- Excellent communication skills, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Positive attitude and attention to detail
- Willingness to spend several hours per day and/or per week riding in, navigating, and driving a 4WD vehicle on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time (2-3 hours at a time)
- Physically capable of standing and walking (up to 6 miles/day on rough, uneven terrain), bending and crouching for long periods of time, and lifting/carrying items that weigh up to 40 pounds, in variable weather conditions, including heat upwards of 100-degrees (F)
- Valid US driver's license and insurable driving record
- Ability to pass background checks (federal, state, education, criminal and driving record)
- Passionate about learning the world of plants, soils, and rangeland ecology
- UTV and trailer towing experience. Please highlight this if you have this experience
- College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with degree in ecology, botany, soil science, agriculture, range, plant ecology, natural resource management, or a related field
- Minimum one year of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field, from photos, and from pressed specimens
- Familiarity with Utah and Wyoming flora (generally sagebrush steppe, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau)
- Experience or education using taxonomic soil keys or equivalent mechanism to identify ecological sites and using soil series descriptions or equivalent soil datasets
- Experience digging soil pits to characterize and document soil horizons and hand texturing various types of soils
- Experience with collecting data via tablets using FieldMaps and Survey123
- Crew Leads should have experience managing field crews or several seasons of conducting field work. Ideal candidates would have strong plant identification skills
Preferred Qualifications:
ERG is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable EEOC regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual preference, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Please be aware, the only authentic corporate domain for ERG is https://www.erg.com. ERG may, on occasion, screen applicants via telephone or video interviews via Skype, Teams, GoToMeeting, or another type of video platform. However, any candidate extended a job offer might be asked to meet in person with an ERG employee before providing confidential personal information associated with new employment.
If you’re a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ERG’s online application process as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources via email at [email protected] or call (781) 674-7293.
ERG fosters a friendly, flexible work environment. ERGers are dedicated to serving clients who are committed to making the world a better place. We promote and recognize principles of fairness and respect in the work we do, the partnerships we foster, and the culture we value both within and outside of our organization.
Top Skills
Fieldmaps
Ruggedized Tablets
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The Company
What We Do
ERG is a multidisciplinary consulting firm offering a broad range of professional services. From offices across the country, we serve a spectrum of public and private clients, including federal agencies, state governments, corporations, and universities.
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