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. Positions Available: Field Ecologists (Crew Leads and Technicians) Base Location: Salt Lake City, UT ** You do not have to live in SLC, but you must start and end your hitches at this location.  Sampling occurs throughout Utah and Nevada  Start Dates (tentatively):  •March 2, 2026  •March 30, 2026    End Date: All positions go through end of August/Early Sept, with potential extension into September based on location, performance, and need. Position Overview: This is a field-based position that operates on a hitch schedule. The schedule is 8 days on (Tues-Tues) followed by 6 days off throughout the season.  During field work, camping will be required. Camping is in remote locations, typically not at established campsites. Crews will consist of three individuals: one crew lead and two technicians.  This job is ideal for someone passionate about learning the world of plants, soils, and rangeland ecology. Job Description:

Follow field protocols to identify vegetation to species level

Gather species cover and composition data

Collect soil stability and soil profile descriptions

Use ruggedized tablets for data collection

Assess special sage grouse habitat Crew Lead (additional responsibilities):

Create Hitch Plans: evaluate sample locations, plan routes, and identify access concerns

Communicate with local BLM Field Office staff and ERG 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

Qualifications and Skills:

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 of time 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 of time (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 of time, 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

UTV and trailer towing experience. Please highlight this if you have this experience

College Graduate (Bachelor’s, at minimum) with 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 to species in the field, from photos, and from 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 mechanism 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