Biologist

River Partners; Rancho Murieta (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

River Partners is looking for a Restoration Ecologist for their Turlock office to manage large-scale restoration projects and collaborate with teams on environmental improvement efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in ecology or related fields, charm in enhancing partnerships, outstanding communication skills, and experience managing restoration budgets, providing crucial recommendations, and training interns. A valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of appropriate work experience required.
• Valid driver’s license with no restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Managing complex large‑scale restoration projects.
• Evaluating soil conditions for new projects.
• Training and supervising entry‑level biologists and interns.

Skills

Passion for River Partners’ mission

Effective oral and written communication

Knowledge of basic irrigation techniques

Understanding of statistics

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word

Education

M.S. in ecology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Job description

River Partners’ helps local communities reconnect and revitalize floodplains and river landscapes across the state of California. We are a private, non‑profit organization with offices in Chico, Sacramento, Turlock, and San Diego. As a project‑focused company, we believe in the power of demonstrating environmental improvement through large‑scale river restoration and empowering others through partnership and collaboration.

Job Description

Position: Restoration Ecologist (Turlock office)

The Restoration Ecologist works with River Partners’ biology, field implementation, and development teams to identify, develop and execute riparian habitat restoration projects. Responsibilities include:

• Managing complex large‑scale restoration projects
• Developing and building good rapport with external partners
• Writing quality plans, reports, and articles
• Managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets for restoration, mitigation and consulting projects
• Assisting in the development of new restoration projects
• Providing recommendations for problematic soil conditions on existing projects
• Evaluating soil conditions for new projects to assist in project planning
• Managing the Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Proactively communicating with team members to improve habitat restoration and implementation techniques
• Securing permits from local, state and federal agencies
• Conducting vegetation and biological monitoring and studies
• Training and supervising entry‑level biologists and interns
• Meeting multiple and competing deadlines and providing outstanding customer relations
• Developing and delivering presentations to the scientific community, government agencies and the public
• Attending public events, fairs and meetings to promote the organization and its mission
• Working independently in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Travel and/or long hours and weekends in a variety of field conditions possible
• Other duties as assigned

Essential knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Passion for River Partners’ mission and enthusiasm to contribute
• Enjoyment in working with diverse people and organizations to get things done
• Creative problem‑solving and eagerness to learn new skills
• Effective oral and written communication of complicated soil science findings
• Knowledge of basic irrigation techniques and soil chemistry, physics and plant science
• Advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ecology, and river hydrology
• Ability to work effectively with a team and independently
• Understanding of statistics, experimental design and data collection
• Experience collecting, organizing and analyzing field data
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work under multiple deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Dedication and focus on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and other programs

Qualifications

• M.S. or equivalent work experience in ecology, plant biology, soil science, agriculture or natural resource science or related science
• Three to five years of appropriate work experience
• Valid driver’s license with no restrictions

Job Location

Turlock, California (River Partners’ Turlock office)