Forest Ecologist Jobs in California
Forest Ecologist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand from state and federal agencies, timber companies, environmental consulting firms, and conservation nonprofits at every level from field technician entry roles through senior scientist. The largest concentrations of openings are in Sacramento, Redding, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where employers such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the U.S. Forest Service, and AECOM maintain long-term hiring pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in California are wildfire ecology, forest carbon monitoring, and watershed restoration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Bargaining Unit: Outpatient Clinics - EA
Rate of Pay: $34.06/hour + DOE
Summary
Responsible for patient care under the direction of a physician or licensed health care provider. Performs a variety of sports medicine related activities including but not limited to preparing and assisting in US Guided procedures, applying and removing casts and/or braces, and preparing exam rooms and answering patient questions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assists provider in back office duties including rooming patients, taking vital signs and patient history.
- Adheres to prescription refill protocol.
- Applies upper/lower extremity cast/splint to patient in order to comply with provider’s orders by using accepted casting/splinting practices and techniques.
- Applies upper/lower extremity DME to patient in order to comply with provider’s orders by using accepted bracing practices and techniques.
- Utilizes removal/altering of cast/splint to/from/on patient in order to comply with provider's orders by using accepted practices and techniques.
- Applies Sports Medicine devices to patient in order to comply with provider’s order by ensuring proper fit/placement.
- Applies pre-fabricated orthotics and other orthopedic appliances to patient by ensuring proper fit in order to comply with provider’s orders.
- Positions, preps, and drapes patient by using accepted practices and techniques in order to prepare patient for procedures.
- Prepares complex in-clinic procedures such as Tenex and PRP.
- Applies and manages post-procedure dressing(s) on wound(s) following aseptic technique.
- Assists the physician during reductions and/or procedures by supplying and applying the appropriate materials and using appropriate technique.
- Assists Sports Medicine Clinic Lead in obtaining and completing Worker's Compensation documentation.
- Answers patient questions and concerns under the direction of the physician.
- Provides patients with education and home exercise programs.
- Performs basic triage per specific office protocol procedures.
- Recognizes and responds appropriately to urgent/emergent situations per protocols.
- Maintains a professional demeanor and appearance in accordance with infection control and safety guidelines and maintains a professional personal conduct at all times.
- Works as a team member within the sports medicine department and all other departments.
- Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Demonstrates System Values in performance and behavior.
- Complies with System policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Education/Experience
Associate's Degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school, or 6 months to 1 year relevant experience.
Required Licenses/Certifications
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
- Upon hire
- BLS: Employee will be enrolled in the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) Basic Life Support (BLS) Entry or Prep Curriculum (depending on their previous BLS certification).
- Within 3 months of hire into job
- American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE) Casting and Splinting Certificate
- Within 1 year of hire into job
Other Experience/Qualifications
Required:
- Thorough knowledge of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine nomenclature, anatomy and disease process.
- Knowledge of examination, diagnostic and treatment room procedures.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 87 Forest Ecologist Jobs in California
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Find Forest Ecologist JobsForest Ecologist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Forest Ecologist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tahoe Forest Health System22

- Applied Medical8

- Advantest6

- STAAR Surgical6

- AVEVA5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services25
- Medical Devices14
- Non-Profit & Social Services12
- Electronics & Hardware11
- Technology & Software11
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in forest ecologist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in forestry, ecology, or a closely related natural resource science
- Familiarity with California Forest Practice Act regulations and CALFIRE reporting requirements
- Experience conducting field surveys and vegetation sampling in California forest ecosystems
- Proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis of forest data
- Valid California driver's license and ability to access remote field sites year-round
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing environmental reports and agency permit documentation
Forest Ecologist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a forest ecologist in California?
Most forest ecologist positions in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in forestry, ecology, or a related field, with many agency and consulting roles preferring a master's degree. California does not issue a single state license specific to forest ecologists, but roles tied to timber harvest plans often require a Registered Professional Forester credential through the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Building field experience through internships with CALFIRE or the U.S. Forest Service is a common and practical first step.
How much do forest ecologists make in California?
Forest ecologists in California earn a median of about $106,510 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,350 for the lowest 10% to over $161,910 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire forest ecologists in California?
Employers hiring forest ecologists in California right now include Tahoe Forest Health System, Applied Medical, and Advantest, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's combination of state forestry agencies, large federal land management units, and active environmental consulting sector means hiring is distributed across both public and private employers throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most forest ecologist jobs?
The California cities with the most forest ecologist openings are Lake Forest and Truckee. Sacramento anchors much of the hiring because it is home to CALFIRE headquarters and numerous state natural resource agencies, while Redding sits at the gateway to California's northern timber country, and the Bay Area hosts a dense cluster of environmental consulting firms and conservation organizations.
Are there remote forest ecologist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 9% of forest ecologist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which reflects how field-dependent the work tends to be. The portions of the role most compatible with remote arrangements are data analysis, GIS mapping, report writing, and grant management, while field surveys, site assessments, and monitoring work consistently require an in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a forest ecologist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a seasonal field technician position with CALFIRE or the U.S. Forest Service's California regional units, where new graduates regularly start without prior professional experience. California State University campuses with strong natural resources programs, such as Humboldt and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, maintain direct pipelines into these seasonal roles. Earning a Registered Professional Forester-in-Training designation and building a portfolio of field survey work or GIS projects can separate candidates for competitive permanent openings.
Where can I find and apply to forest ecologist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to forest ecologist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, location, and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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