How to hire an Ecologist

How to hire an ecologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ecologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an ecologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ecologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an Ecologist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The ecologist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An ecologist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ecologists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of ecologists.

   Type Of Ecologist	Description	Hourly Rate
   Ecologist	Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems. They study the physical characteristics of animals, animal behaviors, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats... Show More	$15-36
   Fish And Wildlife Biologist	A fish and wildlife biologist is an expert when it comes to wildlife and aquatic life. As a biologist, it is their duty to conduct studies and help in improving its conditions by recommending and enforcing policies... Show More	$16-38
   Fisheries Biologist	A fisheries biologist is a scientist who studies fishes and their respective habitats. Fisheries biologists gather data on fish and track their number in a certain body of water... Show More	$14-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Data Collection
   • GPS
   • GIS
   • Technical Reports
   • Data Management
   • Data Entry
   • ArcGIS
   • Data Analysis
   • Natural Resources
   • Project Management
   • Water Quality
   • Ecological Research
   • Wetland Delineations
   • Regulatory Agencies

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
   • Perform surveys for target species including vascular and non-vascular plants, fungi, and lichens using BLM and USFS protocols.
   • Issue gas and oil drilling permits on BLM land.
   • Record and monitor nest locations using a marker system and GPS.
   • Navigate through surrounding desert and massive mountain ranges using GPS and aerial topographic maps.
   • Help with park events and or activities, occasionally put on patrol for the park

   More Ecologist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the ecologist job description is a good way to get more applicants. An ecologist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an ecologist in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level ecologist. Additionally, an ecologist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average ecologist salary

   $50,369yearly

   $24.22 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level ecologist salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated March 27, 2025

   Average ecologist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	California	$64,595	$31
   2	Maryland	$62,532	$30
   3	Washington	$61,383	$30
   4	New York	$59,207	$28
   5	Utah	$57,138	$27
   6	Colorado	$53,857	$26
   7	Kentucky	$53,566	$26
   8	District of Columbia	$52,456	$25
   9	Louisiana	$51,463	$25
   10	Wisconsin	$51,423	$25
   11	New Mexico	$50,261	$24
   12	Texas	$49,095	$24
   13	Nevada	$48,988	$24
   14	Minnesota	$47,962	$23
   15	Alabama	$43,436	$21
   16	Michigan	$41,648	$20
   17	Tennessee	$35,652	$17
   18	Arkansas	$35,303	$17
   19	Georgia	$35,166	$17
   20	Hawaii	$34,145	$16

   Average ecologist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Volkert	$77,738	$37.37
   2	Smithsonian Institution	$72,905	$35.05
   3	AECOM	$70,189	$33.74	77
   4	Center for Coastal Studies	$69,664	$33.49
   5	Civil & Environmental Consultants	$68,266	$32.82	8
   6	Battelle	$66,985	$32.20	12
   7	US Meat Animal Research Center	$66,273	$31.86
   8	Stantec	$65,500	$31.49	214
   9	Forest Manufacturing Co	$65,488	$31.48
   10	Wsp USA Buildings Inc.	$62,419	$30.01	145
   11	National Park Foundation	$61,214	$29.43
   12	Bureau of Land Management	$60,572	$29.12
   13	Resource Environmental Solutions	$58,703	$28.22
   14	Colliers Engineering & Design	$58,538	$28.14
   15	Chemtex	$58,494	$28.12
   16	The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i	$57,911	$27.84
   17	Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.c. Or Aza	$56,484	$27.16	1
   18	Shannon & Wilson	$56,178	$27.01	5
   19	U.s.government	$55,792	$26.82
   20	Snc-lavalin Project Services, Inc.	$55,034	$26.46

4. Writing an Ecologist Job Description

   An ecologist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an ecologist job description:

   Ecologist job description example

   **Job Summary**
   
   **AECOM** is seeking an Ecologist to be based in Atlanta, GA.
   
   This position is expected to begin in August 2022.
   
   **At AECOM, we're delivering a better world.**
   
   We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it's improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.
   
   Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We're one global team - 47,000 strong - driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.
   
   **Here, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.**
   
   We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
   
   You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion - a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.
   
   We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.
   
   We offer competitive pay and benefits, well-being programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to advance your career.
   
   When you join us, you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts - planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers - leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and let's get started.
   
   **The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:**
   
   + Plans and performs unsupervised field tasks, such as wetland and stream surveys, and surveys for suitable habitat and presence of protected species.
   
   + Gathers data and other information to be used in the preparation of environmental reports; compiles and organizes data collected by others.
   
   + Prepares data and scientific documents to include maps/figures, technical reports, assessments of effects, agency coordination, in support of NEPA documents.
   
   + Utilizes basic scientific principles, theories, practices, and existing technologies to develop solutions for technical problems with limited scope.
   
   + Works under limited supervision and completes complex tasks with minimal supervision.
   
   + Provide support and mentorship for junior staff.
   
   + Assists leadership staff with business development for the Transportation Group.
   
   **Minimum Requirements**
   
   + Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources or related field with six (6) years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
   
   **Preferred Qualifications**
   
   + 5 or more years of experience in surveying wetlands and streams using USACE standards and guidance;
   
   + 5 or more years of experience with Federal regulatory processes, including Section 404 Permitting, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
   
   + Demonstrated ability to work on a wide range of projects, within interdisciplinary teams, and balance a demanding workload 5 or more years of experience with NRHP eligibility criteria and aspects of integrity.
   
   + Master's degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, or related field
   
   + Experience in performing ecology surveys and preparing reports for transportation projects administered by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
   
   + Experience with Georgia state processes including the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA)
   
   + High degree of professionalism, self-motivation, and desire to work in a collaborative team environment.
   
   + Excellent communication skills, including both written and oral expertise.
   
   + Self-motivated, driven, and hard working.
   
   + Experience working in a fast-paced consulting environment.
   
   **What We Offer**
   
   We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
   
   You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion - a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.
   
   We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.
   
   We offer competitive pay and benefits, well-being programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to advance your career.
   
   When you join us, you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts - planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers - leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and let's get started.
   
   As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.
   
   **Job Category** Ecology
   
   **Business Line** Transportation
   
   **Business Group** Design and Consulting Services Group (DCS)
   
   **Stategic Business Unit** East
   
   **Country** United States of America
   
   **Position Status** Full Time
   
   **Requisition/Vacancy No.** 270721BR
   
   **Virtual:** Yes
   
   Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find ecologists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ecologist job on Zippia to find and recruit ecologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting ecologists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new ecologist

   Once you've selected the best ecologist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new ecologist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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