Forest Ecologist Jobs
Forest Ecologist jobs are open across government agencies, conservation nonprofits, consulting firms, and research universities, at every level from field technician to senior scientist and program director, with specializations in forest inventory, wildfire ecology, and carbon monitoring. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting highly motivated and experienced candidates to assist the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a Fishery Biologist 3 - Ecologist at the Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC), Columbia River Research Laboratory. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of November 16th, 2026.
We are seeking a quantitatively minded scientist to lead and execute complex fisheries ecology analyses in collaboration with WFRC's Quantitative Ecology Team.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
. Advanced Statistical & Quantitative Analysis: Lead the design, execution, and oversight of complex statistical analyses to evaluate fish populations and ecological processes across regional aquatic systems.
. Model Development & Integration: Develop, update, and extend integrated population models (IPMs) for salmon populations, apply advanced mark-recapture models to estimate demographic parameters from telemetry data, and estimate fish population abundance.
. Primary Authorship & Reporting: Lead and co-author high-impact peer-reviewed scientific publications and comprehensive technical reports summarizing complex quantitative research.
. Stakeholder & Scientific Communication: Deliver technical presentations and communicate complex quantitative models, biological inferences, and analytical outputs to managers, stakeholders, scientific peers, and interagency collaborators.
. Project Leadership & Collaboration: Lead analyses independently, collaborate across interdisciplinary research teams, and mentor junior technical staff on analytical approaches and data interpretation.
Qualifications & Knowledge Required
. Education & Experience: Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in Fisheries Science, Quantitative Ecology, Biometrics, Applied Statistics, or a closely related natural resources discipline.
. Advanced Quantitative & Modeling Expertise: Demonstrated mastery in advanced quantitative methods, including Bayesian inference, mark-recapture estimation, integrated population modeling, and spatial/temporal statistical modeling.
. Programming & Computational Skills: Advanced proficiency in quantitative programming environments (such as R and specialized Bayesian software) for complex statistical modeling and reproducible research workflows.
. Scientific Communication: Proven track record of primary authorship in peer-reviewed scientific journals and effective verbal communication of complex quantitative concepts to diverse audiences.
Essential Functions: Included in this band are professional positions that perform highly complex assignments where specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques are required. (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)
- Perform complex tests and/or procedures that require using highly specialized methods or techniques
- Recognize and identify unusual and diverse entities, occurrences, or investigative outcomes relevant to the program area
- Modify or adapt established protocols and procedures in response to test or study findings
- Plan studies that require making significant departures from previous approaches
- Revise standard methods to improve or extend test and study systems
- Review, evaluate, prepare comments, provide formal and informal consultations, and approve mitigation conditions during license implementations
- Recommend and approve studies to evaluate potential impacts of proposed development
- Contribute to rehearings and appeals of agencies' decisions under Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, etc.
- Participate in rulemaking, preparing briefing documents and communicating and coordinating policy changes to other staff
- Prepare and present technical studies and reports
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, and methods of Fishery Biology.
- Ability to define problems, perform background research, develop and execute a project plan, organize and evaluate results, and prepare reports of findings.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- Compile and collect neat and accurate data
- Valid driver's license
- Oral communication
- Written communication
Physical Demands:
The work is sedentary with moderate walking between workstations and carrying folders, reports, and similar light loads.
Work Environment:
The work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. There are the normal risks of an office environment.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Candidates must present successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences. In addition, candidates must also present 1 year of Specialized Experience** AND a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree in fields directly related to the position being filled. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting highly motivated and experienced candidates to assist the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a Fishery Biologist 3 - Ecologist at the Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC), Columbia River Research Laboratory. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of November 16th, 2026.
We are seeking a quantitatively minded scientist to lead and execute complex fisheries ecology analyses in collaboration with WFRC's Quantitative Ecology Team.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
. Advanced Statistical & Quantitative Analysis: Lead the design, execution, and oversight of complex statistical analyses to evaluate fish populations and ecological processes across regional aquatic systems.
. Model Development & Integration: Develop, update, and extend integrated population models (IPMs) for salmon populations, apply advanced mark-recapture models to estimate demographic parameters from telemetry data, and estimate fish population abundance.
. Primary Authorship & Reporting: Lead and co-author high-impact peer-reviewed scientific publications and comprehensive technical reports summarizing complex quantitative research.
. Stakeholder & Scientific Communication: Deliver technical presentations and communicate complex quantitative models, biological inferences, and analytical outputs to managers, stakeholders, scientific peers, and interagency collaborators.
. Project Leadership & Collaboration: Lead analyses independently, collaborate across interdisciplinary research teams, and mentor junior technical staff on analytical approaches and data interpretation.
Qualifications & Knowledge Required
. Education & Experience: Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in Fisheries Science, Quantitative Ecology, Biometrics, Applied Statistics, or a closely related natural resources discipline.
. Advanced Quantitative & Modeling Expertise: Demonstrated mastery in advanced quantitative methods, including Bayesian inference, mark-recapture estimation, integrated population modeling, and spatial/temporal statistical modeling.
. Programming & Computational Skills: Advanced proficiency in quantitative programming environments (such as R and specialized Bayesian software) for complex statistical modeling and reproducible research workflows.
. Scientific Communication: Proven track record of primary authorship in peer-reviewed scientific journals and effective verbal communication of complex quantitative concepts to diverse audiences.
Essential Functions: Included in this band are professional positions that perform highly complex assignments where specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques are required. (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)
- Perform complex tests and/or procedures that require using highly specialized methods or techniques
- Recognize and identify unusual and diverse entities, occurrences, or investigative outcomes relevant to the program area
- Modify or adapt established protocols and procedures in response to test or study findings
- Plan studies that require making significant departures from previous approaches
- Revise standard methods to improve or extend test and study systems
- Review, evaluate, prepare comments, provide formal and informal consultations, and approve mitigation conditions during license implementations
- Recommend and approve studies to evaluate potential impacts of proposed development
- Contribute to rehearings and appeals of agencies' decisions under Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, etc.
- Participate in rulemaking, preparing briefing documents and communicating and coordinating policy changes to other staff
- Prepare and present technical studies and reports
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, and methods of Fishery Biology.
- Ability to define problems, perform background research, develop and execute a project plan, organize and evaluate results, and prepare reports of findings.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- Compile and collect neat and accurate data
- Valid driver's license
- Oral communication
- Written communication
Physical Demands:
The work is sedentary with moderate walking between workstations and carrying folders, reports, and similar light loads.
Work Environment:
The work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. There are the normal risks of an office environment.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Candidates must present successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences. In addition, candidates must also present 1 year of Specialized Experience** AND a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree in fields directly related to the position being filled. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Forest Ecologist Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
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What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in forest ecologist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in ecology, forestry, or a closely related natural-resource science
- Proficiency in ArcGIS or equivalent GIS software for spatial analysis and mapping
- Experience designing and executing forest inventory or vegetation monitoring protocols
- Familiarity with statistical software such as R or Python for analyzing ecological datasets
- Physical ability to conduct fieldwork in rugged terrain under variable weather conditions
- Knowledge of federal or state environmental compliance frameworks such as NEPA or state forest practice acts
Tips for Your Forest Ecologist Job Search
Quantify your field data experience
Hiring managers want to see the scale of your fieldwork. Call out the acreage you surveyed, the number of permanent plots you established, or the years of long-term monitoring data you contributed to. Vague references to fieldwork get skipped.
List every GIS and remote-sensing tool
ArcGIS, R, Python, LiDAR processing, and Google Earth Engine appear constantly in forest ecologist postings. Put them in a dedicated technical skills section, not buried in job descriptions, so resume screeners and applicant tracking systems catch them immediately.
Tailor applications to the funding source
A role funded by a state forestry agency wants different language than one tied to a federal research grant or a carbon-market project. Match your resume's framing to the employer's mission, whether that's timber management, biodiversity conservation, or climate reporting.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists forest ecologist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a species and methods portfolio
Before interviews, assemble a one-page summary of the tree species, forest types, and sampling methods you know best. Panels for forest ecologist roles often ask you to walk through a past study design, and a prepared summary keeps your answer precise.
Negotiate start dates around field season
If an offer arrives in late spring, ask whether a start date after peak field season is possible. Many agencies expect this conversation and will accommodate it, and raising it early signals you understand operational realities rather than creating friction at the offer stage.
Forest Ecologist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most forest ecologists?
The companies hiring the most forest ecologists right now include William & Mary, Smithsonian Institution, and Civil & Environmental Consultants, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Maryland, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Federal agencies, state forestry departments, and environmental consulting firms consistently drive the highest volume of postings.
How many forest ecologist jobs are remote?
About 100% of forest ecologist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, which is lower than most science disciplines because the role is fieldwork-intensive. Data analysis, report writing, and grant coordination roles within forest ecology are the sub-areas most likely to carry a remote or hybrid arrangement.
How do you become a forest ecologist?
Start with a bachelor's degree in ecology, forestry, or environmental science, then build field experience through internships, REU programs, or volunteer positions with land management agencies. A master's degree strengthens your candidacy for research and senior roles. Gain proficiency in GIS and statistical software, and pursue certifications in forest inventory methods or prescribed fire if your target sector values them.
How do you get hired as a forest ecologist with little experience?
Focus on roles titled field technician, biological science technician, or forestry aide, which are the entry points most agencies use before promoting into ecologist classifications. Volunteer for trail crews, invasive species removal projects, or citizen science programs to build documented field hours. A strong senior thesis or independent research project that demonstrates sampling design and data analysis can substitute for professional experience in early applications.
What does the forest ecologist interview process look like?
Most employers run a structured panel interview with two to four reviewers, often including a field supervisor and a program manager. Expect behavioral questions about past study designs, safety decision-making in remote terrain, and how you handled data quality issues. Some federal and state agencies add a written exercise or ask you to interpret a dataset or map on the spot before the panel conversation.
Where can I find and apply to forest ecologist jobs?
You can find and apply to forest ecologist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States in one place. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 15 Forest Ecologist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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