Location: Santa Fe, NM

Status: Regular, full-time, non-exempt

Compensation: $23-$28 per hour

Application Deadline: 9/1/2025; review will be on a rolling basis

Start date: 10/20/2025

About the role 

The Southwest Rare Plants Ecologist will lead the rare plants field crew and demography research for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Rare Plant Monitoring Initiative, operated by the Institute for Applied Ecology. More information about the program can be found here and in this blog by the 2023 crew. During the field season (March – October), the Ecologist will lead a crew of two technicians to monitor demography of rare plants on BLM lands across NM following established protocols, particularly in areas where multiple-use land management (i.e. energy extraction) impacts on rare plants are expected. This work is highly seasonal; ~90% of the work over the field season will be spent on overnight data collection trips, and ~90% of the offseason will be spent in the office. Crews will be required to drive to remote areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight for 2-7 consecutive days, hike up to several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. Following the field season, the Ecologist will develop population models from the field collected data and prepare written reports and presentations. While rare plant inventories are the focus, the Ecologist will support other plant conservation program projects depending on the candidate’s interests and experience. These projects may include native seed collection and rare plant seed banking, pollinator monitoring, floristic diversity surveys and native plant restoration.

This is a full-time, hourly position that requires overnight camping and non-traditional work hours sometimes inclusive of weekend and evening hours. 

Specific Responsibilities

Project management (35%)

• Adhere to existing monitoring protocols based on project objectives
• Plan overnight camping and field work schedule
• Frequent and regular communication with land managers or partners to provide technical updates, facilitate access to monitoring sites, and coordinate partner field support; represent IAE in a professional manner
• Coordination and supervision of others
• • Supervise, support and work alongside 2 seasonal field technicians
  • Coordinate team schedules and logistics and manage expenses
  • Train technicians to collect and manage data in ArcGIS products (e.g., Survey123), and coordinate trainings required by partner organizations
  • Prioritize safety; adhere to check-in/check-out procedures and communications via cell phone or GPS device to ensure crew safety; provide safety trainings for crew
  • Ensures adherence to IAE and partner-owned field and office equipment use protocols 

Data collection (30%)

•  Collect and manage data with ArcGIS products (e.g., Survey123) and troubleshoot issues that arise
•  Identify and monitor target species
•  Independently perform data QA/QC and design simple queries to extract data from database

 Data analysis (20%)

• Perform data quality control and analysis in Microsoft Excel and R
• Design population models and viability analyses for multiple rare plant species in NM

 Writing (15%)

• Contribute to and edit scientific reports and/or peer-reviewed publications
• Contribute to IAE newsletters and social media posts

Minimum Qualifications

• A positive attitude with an interest in ecology and botany and working as part of a team
• Plant ID skills using technical keys
• 2+ field seasons performing plant identification and vegetation sampling
• Previous leadership experience leading a group of two or more people
• Effective oral and written communication skills and experience working on a team
• Experience with project management
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Basic computer skills
• Experience with ArcGIS Online interface and ArcGIS tablet applications (Field Maps and Survey 123)
• Ability to use R software for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization, or the ability and self-motivation to learn
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after initial training period; must be capable of performing well in an office setting, as well as the field
• Familiarity with basic plant taxonomy, including major families and botanical vocabulary
• Willingness to spend multiple days (2-7 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas; familiarity with and willingness to adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles
• Capacity to coordinate camping logistics with field crews (e.g. shopping, cooking, and cleaning responsibilities) and be responsible for crew safety
• Able to conduct frequent bending, kneeling, and standing
• Able to work in a variety of adverse weather conditions, which may include extreme heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife (i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears)
• A valid driver’s license with the ability to drive a 4WD vehicle off-highway

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of plants of the Southwest
• Experience developing population models from field collected data
• Coursework/training in botany and/or degree in botany or related field
• Current CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid or Defensive Driver Training Certificates
• Able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Able to hike up to 6 miles a day