POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Prairie Monitoring Technician

Reports to: Rare Species Ecologist

Location: Olympia, Washington

Type: Full-time: hourly, non-exempt

Period: Seasonal: 30 March 2026 to 3 July 2026.

Benefits: Sick, vacation, holiday PTO, retirement*

Hourly rate: $19.61 – $23.40

*Retirement: All positions: employees can make personal contributions to retirement after 3 months, Ecostudies provides match after 6 months.

Overview Summary

Ecostudies Institute (ESI) is hiring a seasonal Prairie Monitoring Technician (Technician) to work on a field crew to monitor prairie and oak woodland plant communities in the South Coast Salish region of Washington. The primary responsibilities will involve monitoring plant community composition, cover, and habitat metrics that support threatened and endangered species on training areas on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) military installation. The Technician may also support other vegetation monitoring and restoration efforts on- and off-base as part of their role. All work is conducted on sites which may have other ongoing monitoring and research (butterflies, gophers, vegetation, etc.) by other ESI staff or partner organizations; therefore, a holistic ecological outlook is an important part of the job.

Successful applicants will have a keen interest in plant identification, ecology, and conservation, demonstrate excellent communication skills, be able to work independently and in a team setting, and be comfortable working on an active military base. This position requires a sound work ethic, interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude during long field days. The Technician is expected to collect and manage detailed data, be self-motivated, and communicate effectively with partners such as JBLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, volunteers, and the public concerning work done by ESI.

About Ecostudies

Ecostudies Institute is a 501(c)(3) scientific non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native species and their ecosystems. We achieve our mission through effective partnerships, sound scientific research, strategic land management and ecological restoration. At the core of our mission is a cooperative conservation model that strives to realize improved conservation outcomes by developing shared goals and vision through partnerships. These partnerships, in turn, encourage information transfer, advances in cutting edge restoration techniques, and the development of integrated range-wide conservation approaches. The organization is headquartered in Olympia, Washington with field offices in the San Juan Islands, Boardman, Oregon and Eugene, Oregon. Ecostudies currently employs over 40 permanent and seasonal staff.

HIRING EQUITY AND JUSTICE

ESI values and seeks diversity and equity within the organization, and we encourage applications from all groups of people. We recognize that the strength of the organization is in our people, and we believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings that are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ecostudies does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices, and our commitment to equal employment opportunity applies to every aspect of the employment relationship.

It is well-documented that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), queer and transgender folks, women, and other marginalized groups often do not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification listed in the job description. We are most interested in finding the right candidate for the job and our organization. We encourage all passionate and interested candidates to apply and think broadly about your background and qualifications that could be transferable for the position. We are committed to working against the structural biases that continue to keep marginalized people excluded from the conservation, restoration, and wildland fire/prescribed fire fields, and to making sure our hiring practices are not reproducing those biases.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work as part of a team to collect plant community data across a range of sites using different vegetation monitoring methods.
  • Support other species- and habitat-specific monitoring efforts as needed across restoration sites in Washington and Oregon.
  • Regularly enter data on mobile devices through apps such as FieldMaps and QuickCapture.
  • Enter, manage, and summarize data for reporting and presentations.
  • Learn scientific data collection methods and current restoration techniques as developed and utilized by the science and restoration teams. Communicate the correct and safe implementation of these techniques to other crewmembers, partners and volunteers.
  • Comply with training and protocols for working around military hazards including but not limited to artillery, razor wire, and unexploded ordnance.
  • Participate in restoration activities as needed, including but not limited to invasive species control using mechanical and chemical methods, native species seed collection, and others.
  • Work collaboratively with other ESI programs, resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations.
  • Interact professionally with other ESI staff and partner organizations, including military personnel, and be able to communicate the value and benefit of plant and habitat conservation.
  • Maintain records of work performed and communicate to supervisor in a clear and organized manner.
  • Conduct and track routine maintenance of all equipment used in implementing duties.
  • Other related duties as assigned to assist in meeting ESI’s conservation goals.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Completion of or progress towards BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science/natural resources-related field or at least two years natural resources experience.
  • Experience surveying for plants including species identification.
  • Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems; ability to recognize plant and animal species as required. Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
  • Demonstrated cultural competence with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds and/or interest in advancing knowledge or contributing to this work.
  • At least one season of experience with plant monitoring techniques, which may include visual percent cover estimates, line-point intercept, plant mapping, and/or species richness estimates.
  • Ability to follow provided protocols and instructions from colleagues and practice effective communication in a team setting.
  • Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
  • Ability to perform physical work, frequently under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
  • Working knowledge of common software applications and mobile devices (e.g.; Microsoft Word, Excel, web browsers, Google products) and familiarity with ArcGIS and other database systems.
  • Must have or obtain a valid state driver’s license and have a safe driving record.
  • Ability to pass a federal background check to qualify for a military base pass as a contractor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Regularly works outdoors in natural and wildland areas, walking 3-5 miles per day in open landscapes. Hikes across, and conducts work within, native habitats and uneven ground.
  • Works in military training areas with nearby training activities including artillery and small arms fire, aviation and military vehicle driving training, razor wire, etc.
  • Regularly required to operate an Ecostudies Institute vehicle.
  • Occasionally works in conditions involving recent use of herbicides, prescribed fire, or wildfire.
  • Periodically works for consecutive hours/days on the computer in the office.
  • Frequently works as part of a team and periodically works independently.
  • Potential for some evening and weekends including travel.
  • May assist with some prairie restoration work, which involves periodic use of herbicides with appropriate guidance and oversight and hand and powered equipment such as shovels, axes, weed trimmers.
  • Occasionally lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references in one combined document. In your letter, please indicate which position(s) you are interested in and include approximate availability to start. Individuals who are unsure if they meet
all requirements are still encouraged to apply.

Email applications to Samantha Bussan (sbussan@ecoinst.org) with the position you are applying to in
the subject line. All applications will be acknowledged.

Ecostudies Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Ecostudies Institute management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Ecostudies Institute and the employee and is subject to change by Ecostudies Institute as the needs of the Ecostudies Institute and requirements of the job change.