Staff Ecologist (Remote-hybrid)

What it’s like to work with us

H. T. Harvey & Associates has a reputation for deep scientific expertise and a high caliber of work in pursuit of our mission to create ecologically sound solutions to our clients’ complex natural resource challenges. The staff ecologist will become part of the 7-person Sacramento office. Our projects are in the Sacramento Valley as well as in the broader San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Mountain regions. The Sacramento office team has particular experience in projects focused on ecological restoration and on the long-term stewardship and monitoring of watersheds, rare and endangered species, habitat preserves, and similar conserved lands, often within the context of working agricultural lands or other multi-use landscapes. 

Our scientists, including our most senior-level staff, spend time both in the field and in the office (working remotely or from an H. T. Harvey office). Field work includes biological resources surveys in support of impact assessments, long-term biological monitoring, land stewardship, conservation plan development and implementation, and biological resource impact avoidance. 

H. T. Harvey & Associates ecologists produce biological resource reports, natural resource management plans, mitigation and monitoring plans, biological resources sections of environmental documents, regulatory permit applications, and similar technical documents. Our staff ecologists are guided by the expertise and training of senior ecologists, and we encourage collaboration among our staff with combined expertise in plant ecology, wildlife ecology, restoration ecology and fish and aquatic ecology, rangeland ecology, landscape architecture, GIS, and other ecological disciplines.

Candidates may be based in counties of the Sacramento Valley or Sierra Foothills, or Contra Costa, Solano, San Joaquin, or Napa Counties. This position will require occasional travel to client sites in the areas where we work. As such, we do not require employees to work in our Sacramento office regularly if they are not in the field. Though our office, perched along the scenic Sacramento River levee in Sacramento’s South Natomas neighborhood, is a great place to work from and collaborate with other team members!  

Types of projects and habitats the Sacramento Valley team works on

• Developing watershed assessments and natural resource management plans that balance working use of open space with ecological conservation and ecosystem benefits
• Implementing the conservation programs of regional Habitat Conservation Plans and other large-scale habitat conservation programs 
• Working with large private landowners to develop mitigation and conservation banks
• Developing integrated invasive plant management programs 
• Supporting renewable energy project developing and operations in the Central Valley
• Assessing meadows and watersheds in the Sierra Nevada and designing restoration projects to improve ecological functions  
• Leading survey, population monitoring, and permitting projects involving Swainson’s hawks, burrowing owls, California red-legged frogs, California tiger salamanders, salmonids, native bumble bees, and vernal pool branchiopods 

Competencies, skills, and experience

We aim to hire team members who strive for excellence in their everyday work and who are interested in continually improving their scientific knowledge and collaborating with experts in other fields. In addition to having a degree in biology, ecology, or related fields, the ideal candidate should have a combination of some or all of the following:

• 1-5 years of demonstrated field experience
• Specialized training in at least one ecological domain (such as plant, grassland, rangeland, restoration, or wildlife)
• Experience and/or training in the ecology and management of rangelands in California or related fields (e.g., grassland ecology, invasive plant management, forestry with an emphasis of ecosystem management)
• Master’s degree fields noted above: candidates without a Master’s will be considered with demonstrated training in biological sciences, natural resources management, or rangeland management
• Highly organized
• Strong writing aptitude
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• A drive to deepen your ecological knowledge and experience
• Licensure as a California Certified Rangeland Manager, or ability to become certified within two years following hire (ideal, but not required)

A few other nitty gritty details

This position requires the future employee to:

• Follow best practices for field safety
• Hold a valid driver’s license with no major traffic violations or multiple minor violations
• Walk over varied terrain for surveys and work in inclement weather

How to apply

Even if you don’t meet all the qualifications above, we welcome your application so we can learn more about you! To start the process, please submit your resume and a cover letter through our applicant portal. In your cover letter please tell us:

• about your interests in habitat conservation and resource management, or related experience  
• what you hope to get from your next position
• whatever else you’d like to share that isn’t obvious from your resume

Ultimately, we’ll ask candidates who move forward in the process for references and academic transcripts and potentially writing samples, but if you don’t have them handy now, they can be submitted later. 

Please combine your cover letter and resume into one file. 

Employment Package, Benefits, and Work Culture 

We strive to support employees' career goals and their health and wellness. Our employment package includes a competitive salary and a generous benefits package. 

Health insurance 

H. T. Harvey & Associates has always placed a strong emphasis on health and wellness. At the center of these offerings is our top-notch medical coverage (Cigna PPO and Kaiser Permanente HMO plans) along with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Savings Account (FSA) options. For full-time employees who opt in to one of our plans, we cover 100% of the premiums for that employee. Additional options include 50% premium coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and children. The package also includes dental and vision coverage at no cost to the employee. Pro-rated plan options are available for those who work at least 50% time.  

Retirement benefits 

We offer a 401(k) plan with a 33% employer match. The plan offers nearly 50 fund choices including a notable number of socially responsible investment fund options.  

Time off 

Employees accrue paid vacation, personal days, and sick leave time. Additionally, full-time employees receive 5 personal days and 10 company holidays annually, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for voluntary participation in a National Day of Service. 

Professional development 

In addition to having a core value of ongoing development of scientific and professional expertise, we support participation in external training and certification programs, attendance at conferences and workshops, and membership in and engagement with scientific and professional associations. We also offer presentation, poster, and publication bonuses.  

Flexible work arrangements 

We offer flexible schedule options during the work week, with employees working from both company and home offices. Our goal is to facilitate collaboration and accommodate business needs while providing flexibility to employees.  

About H. T. Harvey & Associates  

H. T. Harvey & Associates is an ecological consulting firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with four offices in California and one in Hawaii. The Los Gatos headquarters office is proudly certified as a Santa Clara County Green Business. Our core areas of expertise are wildlife ecology, plant ecology, aquatic ecology, restoration ecology, and landscape architecture. We hire people who strive to be the best in their fields and provide training, support, and work opportunities to grow their expertise. We have been cultivating excellence in our staff and work in pursuit of our mission to create ecologically sound solutions to our clients’ complex natural resource challenges for more than 54 years.