Natural Resource Economist

ERT, Inc.; West Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision

401(k) with company-matching

Paid Federal Holidays

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Health Savings Account

Short-Term Disability

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Development

Job summary

Entarian is hiring a Natural Resource Economist to provide economic analysis, ecosystem service valuation, and strategic planning for NOAA’s Habitat Conservation programs. You will quantify economic and societal benefits, support monitoring investments, and help translate socio-economic considerations into policy and program planning.

This role requires leadership in non-market valuation, data management, and communicating technical findings to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in natural resource economics or closely related field with 6–8 years experience.
• Experience in economic analysis and ecosystem service valuation.
• Experience evaluating economic impacts of habitat protection or restoration.
• Experience recommending economic monitoring investments and strategies.
• Experience with non-market valuation methods and survey design.
• Strong data management, QA/QC, and visualization skills.
• Proficiency with R, Python, or SAS and clear communication of analyses.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide economics analysis and valuation for habitat conservation efforts.
• Develop strategies for economic monitoring investments and reporting.
• Conduct economic studies using surveys, experiments, or non-market valuation.
• Develop socio-economic metrics and local/national impact estimates (IMPLAN).
• Link ecological and socio-economic measures to quantify benefits.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and outreach materials for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate with federal/state partners to integrate socio-economic monitoring.

Skills

Economic analysis

Ecosystem valuation

Data analysis

Communication skills

R/Python/SAS

Education

Master's degree in natural resource economics

Tools

IMPLAN models

R

Python

SAS

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 2026-9996

Type: Full Time W/Benefits Ret Match

Location: US-

Security Clearance: Clearable

Overview

Entarian is seeking a Natural Resource Economist to provide economic analysis, ecosystem service valuation, strategic planning, and technical support for the NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation, Restoration Center (RC). This position will support efforts to quantify and communicate the economic and societal benefits of habitat protection and restoration, guide investments in economic monitoring, and incorporate socio-economic considerations into program planning and policy development.

Periodic on-site meetings in Silver Spring, MD may be required, with regular off-site work acceptable. The contractor may be required to travel for meetings, workshops, trainings, and conferences.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in natural resource and environmental economics, including valuation of ecosystem services and estimation of the local, regional, and national economic impacts of habitat protection and restoration activities.
• Provide recommendations regarding investments in economic monitoring and help develop strategies for demonstrating the economic and societal benefits of habitat conservation.
• Analyze existing program and publicly available data to support economic evaluations, policy development, strategic planning, and program decision-making.
• Design and conduct economic studies using appropriate survey, experimental, program evaluation, and non-market valuation methods.
• Develop socio-economic and economic metrics for habitat restoration projects, including estimates of job creation and local economic impacts using IMPLAN or similar economic impact models.
• Establish linkages between ecological and socio-economic measures to evaluate the benefits of habitat conservation activities.
• Support development of economic analyses, case studies, reports, presentations, and outreach materials for technical, management, partner, and public audiences.
• Coordinate with economists, social scientists, program staff, federal and state agencies, and external partners to incorporate socio-economic monitoring and reporting into habitat conservation activities.
• Support integration of socio-economic considerations into RC, OHC, and NOAA policies, programs, and initiatives.

The salary for this position is approximately $80,000 - 100,000/year.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in natural resource economics, environmental economics, or a closely related field, with six to eight years of professional experience related to the economic aspects of habitat and natural resources.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical expertise in economic and ecosystem service valuation.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating the economic impacts and benefits of natural resource, habitat protection, or restoration activities.
• Demonstrated experience providing recommendations regarding economic monitoring investments, priorities, or strategies.
• Experience with economic survey design, data analysis, experimental design, and/or program evaluation methods.
• Experience with non-market valuation methods such as stated or revealed preference analysis, travel cost models, hedonic valuation, or benefit transfer.
• Strong quantitative data management and analytical skills, including data preparation, QA/QC, documentation, visualization, and presentation.
• Proficiency with statistical or numerical analysis software such as R, Python, or SAS.
• Ability to clearly communicate economic analyses and findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and be able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to access applicable government systems and facilities

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with federal or state agencies responsible for coastal, marine, habitat, or natural resource programs.
• Strong applied background in natural resource economics, including cost-effectiveness analysis, economic impact analysis, and non-market valuation.
• Experience using IMPLAN or similar input-output economic models.
• Experience applying economic analysis to policy, program, or natural resource management decisions.

About Us

All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our flexible benefits package, which includes:

Benefits

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Professional Membership Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Competitive compensation plan
• Discretionary variable incentive bonuses based on factors such as individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance

Formed through the strategic union of Sev1Tech and ERT, Entarian is a premier provider of mission-critical engineering and technology solutions. Founded on a legacy of excellence dating back to 1993, Entarian is a product of an evolved and fully diversified engineering and federal technology leader. From deep space to defense and civilian missions, Entarian delivers secure, mission-aligned digital solutions that drive national resilience and operational effectiveness. We don't just support modernization; we define it.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Entarian is an Equal Opportunity and Affimation Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.