Field Ecologists

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.

ERG (formerly PG Environmental) is hiring Field Ecologists to support the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Program during the 2025 field season. The AIM Program plays a vital role in gathering high-quality ecological data to inform natural resource management decisions on public lands. More information on the BLM’s AIM strategy can be found on the AIM website: http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/. 

Positions Available: Multiple Field Ecologists (Crew Leads and Technicians)

Base Locations: Salt Lake City, UT or Golden, CO

(Note: Residency in these locations is not required, but all hitches must start and end at the assigned base location.)

Start Dates:

February 24, 2025 (Salt Lake City base location only)

March 31, 2025 (Salt Lake City and Golden base locations)

April 28, 2025 (Salt Lake City and Golden base locations)

End Date:

End of August 2025, with potential extensions into September depending on location, performance, and program needs.

Position Overview:

This is a field-based role with a hitch schedule of 8 days (Tuesday-Tuesday) followed by 6 days off throughout the season. Fieldwork will require camping in remote locations, often outside of established campsites.

Each crew will consist of three members: one Crew Lead and two Technicians. This team will work together to collect essential ecological data to support land management decisions.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast passionate about environmental science and teamwork, this opportunity is for you!

• Follow field protocols to identify vegetation at the species level
• Gather species cover and composition data
• Collect soil stability and soil profile descriptions
• Use ruggedized tablets for data collection
• Assess unique sage grouse habitat

• Create Hitch Plans: evaluate sample locations, plan routes, and identify access concerns
• Communicate with local BLM Field Office staff and ERG Crew 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

• 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, 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 (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, 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

• College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with a 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 and species in the field from photos and 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 mechanisms 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
• UTV and trailer towing experience. Please highlight this if you have this experience

This position is eligible for health insurance, overtime, accrued sick leave and 401k participation after four months of employment.

ERG is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable EEOC and affirmative action regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. As such, successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse and inclusive teams.

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 Resumes-Lex@erg.com or call (781) 674-7293.

As ERG is a friendly, flexible, inclusive environment and has clients who are committed to making the world a better place, ERGers are incredibly dedicated. We promote and recognize principles of fairness, equity, and social justice in the work we do, the partnerships we foster, and the culture we value both within and outside of our organization.