Positions available: Field Ecology Technician / Lead Field Ecologist

Locations: Santa Barbara, CA / Boulder, CO

Type: Seasonal, On-site

Western Fire & Forest Resilience Collaborative (WFFRC) at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

WFFRC is a research program designed to accelerate scientific discoveries that will enhance forest resilience and wildfire decision making. In 2025, we are hiring field crews who will collect data on post-fire forest regeneration and burn severity to support WFFRC’s research goals. Qualified individuals must be highly motivated, collaborative, and adaptive. For additional information on WFFRC, please visit https://www.westernfireforest.org/. WFFRC is housed at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. For additional information about the Cary Institute, visit https://www.caryinstitute.org/.

We are currently soliciting applications for field ecologist technicians and lead field ecologist positions. Each field crew consists of one crew lead and two technicians. One crew will be based in Santa Barbara, CA and sample sites in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Two crews will be based in Boulder, CO, and sample sites in the Southern Rockies of Colorado and northern New Mexico.

Crews will follow established field protocols to assess burn severity on trees and soil and survey pre-fire and post-fire vegetation communities. Members of the field crew will gain knowledge of fire regimes, ecological effects of fire, and botanical identification. The crew will be based at a university (University of California, Santa Barbara or University of Colorado, Boulder) and will have the opportunity to network with faculty, post-doctoral associates, and graduate students at these universities and other institutions during the field season.

During fieldwork, camping will be required, typically on a rotating 8 days on (Tues-Tues) and 6 days off schedule throughout the season. A hotel night will be provided halfway through each 8 day hitch.

Dates:

• June 2, 2025 – August 5, 2025 (Boulder, CO)
• June 16, 2025 – August 19, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA)

Job Description:

• Conduct field work consisting of data collection on burn severity (e.g. Composite Burn index, tree mortality, ground cover) and forest regeneration (e.g. sapling identification and counts, non-tree vegetation cover, pre-fire stand composition) in California, Colorado, and/or New Mexico
• Participate in pre- and post-hitch activities, including hitch planning, data entry, data QA/QC, and cleaning and maintenance of trucks and gear
• Drive and navigate to remote sites in a 4WD vehicle
• Camp for up to eight days at a time, either at established campgrounds or dispersed camping in areas without amenities. Backcountry camping/backpacking is not required; crews will car camp next to the work vehicle
• Hike on rough, uneven terrain (up to 6 miles a day) in variable weather conditions, carrying sampling gear weighing up to 40lbs
• Crew Leads are responsible for making safety decisions in the field and ensuring high-quality data collection

Qualifications and Skills:

• S. or working toward a degree in a natural science field
• Field experience, including the ability to work in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time, including heat and rains, with the possibility of encountering hazardous wildlife
• 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
• Be 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
• Must love the outdoors and be passionate about learning the world of botany, forestry, and fire ecology
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and adapt to changing conditions
• Quality data collection skills and attention to detail
• Valid US driver's license
• Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Suite Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Crew Leads should have experience managing field crews or several seasons of conducting field work

Ideal candidates will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree, at minimum, with degree in ecology, botany, soil science, fire ecology, plant ecology, natural resource management, or a related field
• Current or ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certificates. Strong preference will be given to Crew Leads with WFA/WFR certificates.
• Strong plant identification skills using taxonomic keys
• Familiarity with California, Colorado, and/or New Mexico flora (in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or Southern Rockies)
• Experience or education using taxonomic soil keys or equivalent mechanism to identify ecological sites

Compensation and Benefits:

• $23-25/hour for Crew Leads and $20-22/hour for Technicians
• $15 Meals and Incidentals per diem while in the field