Ecological Technician (1 – 2 positions)

Overview: Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC) is seeking motivated entry-level Ecological Technicians to join our team. As an Ecological Technician, successful applicants will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our science team to support multiple research and conservation projects. Applicants will primarily focus on projects within IERC’s Cannabis and Ecology, Environmental Restoration, Wildlife Ecology, and Disease Ecology Programs collecting natural resource data and assisting in restoring habitat in remote locations throughout California.

Technicians will have the chance to contribute to a variety of IERC natural resource studies on wildlife, habitats, molecular ecology, and earth sciences. They will gain hands-on experience in both field, laboratory, and office aspects of research and project implementation, including data management and reporting duties. Technicians will be guided and mentored by IERC teams to learn novel field, laboratory and office skillsets to advance our understanding of ecological processes and habitat restoration.
Join us at IERC and make a positive impact on the conservation and management of local ecosystems.

Organization: IERC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit scientific organization dedicated to enhancing scientific knowledge, advancing the management and conservation of wildlife species and their communities, and improving overall ecosystem health and conservation through sound research. IERC works collaboratively with a range of local, state, federal, and tribal partners to provide the most current science that will help wildlife managers, educators, researchers, and legislators implement well-informed conservation measures for wildlife species and promote biological diversity world-wide. Click here to see a selection of IERC’s research publications.

Location: Blue Lake, CA  

Work Schedule: 35 to 40+ hours per week, work in excess of 40 hrs. per week may be required to complete project deadlines, occasionally including weekend shifts. 

Start Date: Between March 3 and 10, 2025 

Duration: 8 months from hire date (potential contract extension depending on funding and performance) 

Salary: $18.00/ hour to $20.00/ hour, dependent on qualifications 

Benefits: Group health insurance program after 90 days of employment, weekly paid physical wellness, and several paid holidays  

Tasks include: 

Field duties (60 to 70% time)

• Conduct data collection at remote field sites, including soil, water, and vegetation sampling
• Conduct documentation, reclamation, and restoration tasks on various habitat projects, including illegal cannabis cultivation sites on public and private lands
• Assist with various wildlife surveys such as remote camera surveys, carnivore and raptor trapping and tracking, collection of biological or abiotic samples for molecular ecological investigations, and other direct and indirect monitoring of wildlife

Office duties (30 to 40% time) 

• Assist with data entry, management, and analysis using multiple software packages (e.g. Survey123, Wildlife Insights, Access/Excel/ArcMap or ArcPro)
• Assist with writing and literature searches for reports, publications, and grant proposals
• Communicate effectively with IERC staff & work cooperatively with external collaborators in other disciplines

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Forestry or similar discipline with one season of field experience
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint), Office365, and ArcMap or ArcPro
• Clean driving record and ability to pass a background security clearance and drug test
• Ability to proficiently drive vehicles in 4-wheel drive conditions
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, hike long distances carrying 40 lbs., and work extended hours in remote conditions
• Ability to travel throughout CA and camp or stay at project locations for up to eight nights at a time
• Familiarity with basic mapping and GPS technologies (e.g. Google Earth, Garmin BaseCamp)
• Willingness and ability to work effectively and collaboratively with outside partners
• Willingness to obtain and utilize HAZWOPER 40-hour certification
• Willingness to work under and travel within or under helicopters

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to proficiently operate a chainsaw, or chainsaw certification
• ATV certification