H-1B Visa Forest Ecologist Jobs
Forest Ecologist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in ecology, forestry, or a related biological science. Federal agencies, environmental consulting firms, and timber companies actively file LCAs for these positions, and the 85,000-cap H-1B applies unless your employer is a nonprofit research institution or university.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch Ecologist, IS-0408-11
Application Deadline
November 23, 2026
Department
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Front Royal, VA
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
$85,447 - $111,087 / year
Reporting To
Supervisory Research Ecologist
OVERVIEW
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
About National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global efforts to save species, better understand ecosystems, and train future generations of conservationists. Founded in 1889, NZCBI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. NZCBI’s employees, located in the nation’s capital, Front Royal, Virginia, and worldwide, are leaders in conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats.
Research Ecologist, IS-0408-11
Application Deadline
November 23, 2026
Department
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Employment Type
Full Time
Location
Front Royal, VA
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
$85,447 - $111,087 / year
Reporting To
Supervisory Research Ecologist
OVERVIEW
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
About National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global efforts to save species, better understand ecosystems, and train future generations of conservationists. Founded in 1889, NZCBI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. NZCBI’s employees, located in the nation’s capital, Front Royal, Virginia, and worldwide, are leaders in conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Forest Ecologist
Match your degree to the SOC code
USCIS ties specialty occupation status to the SOC code your employer uses on the LCA. For Forest Ecologist roles, verify the filing maps to SOC 19-1031 so your ecology or forestry degree directly supports the position's educational requirement.
Target cap-exempt employers first
Nonprofits affiliated with universities and government research institutions file H-1Bs outside the annual lottery. USDA Forest Service partners and university extension programs often qualify, letting you start without waiting for an April registration window.
Pull LCA filing history on Migrate Mate
Search Forest Ecologist roles on Migrate Mate to see which employers have certified LCAs for this occupation. That DOL filing history tells you who has actually sponsored the role before, not just who says they're open to sponsorship.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Run your specific job location through the OFLC Wage Search before you negotiate. Forest Ecologist wages vary sharply by region and Level I through IV classifications, and an offer below the certified wage will block LCA approval regardless of employer intent.
Prepare a specialty occupation evidence packet
Field ecologist roles draw RFEs when job duties seem generalist. Document that your position requires species-specific methodology, advanced modeling tools, or graduate-level ecological assessment. Published fieldwork, technical reports, and your graduate thesis all strengthen the petition.
Time your petition around field season contracts
Many forest ecology positions are project-based or seasonally structured. USCIS requires a valid employer-employee relationship for the full H-1B period, so confirm your offer letter specifies year-round employment or a multi-year project scope before your employer files I-129.
H-1B Visa Forest Ecologist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Forest Ecologist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, if the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in ecology, forestry, biology, or a directly related field. The key is that the degree requirement must be specific to the role, not just preferred. Generalist field technician positions can fail this standard, so your employer's job description needs to reflect graduate-level scientific responsibilities, not general data collection.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Forest Ecologist positions?
Federal and state agencies, environmental consulting firms, timber and land management companies, and universities with applied ecology programs are the most active sponsors. Nonprofit research institutions affiliated with universities are cap-exempt, meaning their H-1B petitions bypass the annual lottery entirely. You can browse employers with verified LCA filing history for this occupation on Migrate Mate.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement affect Forest Ecologist offers?
DOL requires your employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before certifying the LCA. Forest Ecologist wages are set at four levels based on experience and supervisory responsibility. You can look up the applicable wage for your specific county or metro area using the OFLC Wage Search. An offer below that floor will prevent LCA certification.
Can I work for multiple employers or on seasonal projects on an H-1B as a Forest Ecologist?
You can hold concurrent H-1Bs from multiple employers, but each one requires a separate I-129 petition and LCA. Seasonal or project-based arrangements are permitted if your primary employer maintains a bona fide employer-employee relationship throughout the H-1B period. USCIS scrutinizes short-term contracts carefully, so your offer letter should clearly specify continuous employment for the petition's duration.
What O*NET data is relevant when building an H-1B petition for a Forest Ecologist?
O*NET classifies Forest Ecologist under Job Zone 4 and 5, requiring substantial to extensive preparation, which supports the specialty occupation argument. Your employer's attorney can use O*NET's listed knowledge areas, skills, and typical entry requirements to demonstrate that the role normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific scientific discipline, a core element USCIS evaluates in every specialty occupation petition.