Historical Ecologist – RL 2026-02

Position Description

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) provides scientific support to communities, local governments, and agencies to plan and implement multi-benefit resilience strategies throughout California. Historical ecology is a key part of our expertise – it allows us to understand how physical processes and ecosystems interact to support ecological functions and biodiversity and offers insight into how landscapes have changed over time, which in turn helps guide planning for future management and restoration strategies. Key SFEI historical ecology reports include the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Study, Hidden Nature SF, the Peninsula Watershed Historical Ecology Study, and Reconnecting Riverside with its River. 

SFEI seeks two talented early career scientists with a physical science and/or ecology background interested in historical research and California ecosystems to join our team in the Resilient Landscapes Program. One role is Full Time and one role is Part Time (seasonal). In addition to historical ecology, the selected candidates will provide support across the Program, working with our teams focused on urban nature, shoreline adaptation, watersheds and wetlands health, and Delta ecosystem management. 

These positions offer an opportunity to work with an outstanding multidisciplinary team of scientists on innovative projects that help improve the resilience of communities and wildlife to land use change and various aspects of climate change. We are looking for someone who can start immediately.

These positions will be primarily involved in historical ecology projects and also support other projects advancing landscape-scale conservation planning that promotes ecosystem resilience and restoration.

Primary position responsibilities will include:

Historical Ecology

• Archival research (in-person and online) to uncover primary sources pertaining to landscape patterns and physical and ecological conditions and processes prior to major Euro-American modifications.
• Compile data using various techniques to organize historical and other environmental data and information (texts, photographs, and maps).
• Synthesize historical data using GIS and other methods to reconstruct historical landscapes.
• Analyze and describe patterns and processes of historical landscapes and evaluate landscape change to inform planning, management, and restoration strategies.
• Write in-depth technical reports, general-audience summaries, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Present to general and technical audiences.

General, also applicable to a broader range of Resilient Landscapes projects

• Summarize and visualize data (cartography, plots, graphics).
• Conduct technical analyses, including GIS analyses.
• Advance landscape-scale conservation and adaptation planning using a quantitative approach.
• Support the development of conceptual restoration designs.
• Synthesize information from interdisciplinary teams, including community-based organizations, technical advisors, and agency partners.
• Write sections of technical reports and memos.
• Provide project management support.
• Become trained in the California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM) and conduct CRAM field work, in addition to other field work.

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our other roles.

Qualifications

• This position requires participating in field work (may be early morning, late nights, or weekends).
• This position requires in-person presence in the office or at an off-site meeting at least one day per week.
• Candidates must be local; remote locations will not be considered.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (with 2 years of experience) or Master’s degree (with 0 years of experience) in a related field (e.g., environmental history or historical ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, geography, other environmental science, environmental planning, landscape architecture).

Required Skills

• Background and/or interest in historical and/or archival research.
• Excellent research skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent GIS skills.
• Ability to creatively synthesize, analyze, and/or visualize information (e.g., Excel/R/Python, ArcGIS, and/or data visualization techniques).
• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate findings clearly in writing and presentations and translate complex concepts for both general and technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in concurrently managing multiple tasks, maintaining efficiency, and balancing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills, including tracking tasks and deadlines, scheduling meetings, and coordinating with partners.
• Collaborative and supportive work approach, and being part of an effective team.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of San Francisco Bay-Delta and California ecosystems or dynamics.
• Ability to manage tasks and deliver products on time and on budget.
• Experience in community-based planning and communicating with diverse stakeholder groups.

Our work bridges many topical areas. We do not require expertise in all of these areas, but the successful candidate should have an interest in and knowledge of one or more of the following: 

• Ecology (Tidal/freshwater wetland, terrestrial, riparian, wildlife)
• Geomorphic and hydrologic/hydraulic processes
• Relationships between hydrogeomorphic and ecological dynamics in riverine and tidal ecosystems
• Numerical modeling (e.g., hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality, groundwater flow)
• Geospatial or geostatistical analyses
• Urban ecology
• Sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation
• Wetland monitoring and assessment, including CRAM and vegetation monitoring
• Ecosystem service quantification or assessments (e.g., flood protection, heat island effect reduction, or human health benefits)
• Landscape-scale conservation and restoration
• Programming (R, Python)
• Data visualization using Adobe tools (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), AutoCAD, Rhino, or similar software