Mojave Desert Land Trust is seeking a Conservation Ecology Specialist I or II to help protect and steward conservation lands across the Mojave and Colorado Deserts of 
California.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to combine field-based ecology, land stewardship, restoration, GIS, conservation planning, and hands-on problem 
solving in service of a meaningful mission. The person in this role will help assess ecological conditions, support restoration and land management activities, contribute to 
pre-acquisition due diligence, and produce maps, reports, and documentation that support the long-term care of protected lands.

At MDLT, we believe in bold action, joyful teamwork, and purpose-driven work. We are a mission-focused nonprofit dedicated to protecting desert ecosystems, and we value 
diverse perspectives, collaboration, curiosity, and resilience. We are looking for someone who is not only technically capable, but who also wants to contribute to a culture rooted in trust, grit, and hope.

Position Overview
The Conservation Ecology Specialist supports MDLT’s strategic land acquisition, stewardship, and management objectives through fieldwork, ecological assessment, 
restoration support, mapping, reporting, and coordination with staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners.

This position may be filled at either the I or II level depending on qualifications and experience.
• Level I is appropriate for a candidate with a strong foundation in field-based ecological or stewardship work who is ready to continue building skills under closer 
supervision and guidance. 
• Level II is intended for a more experienced professional who can independently perform ecological assessments, site inspections, stewardship scoring, reporting, 
and related compliance-oriented work with limited supervision. 

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include:
• Conducting or assisting with ecological assessments of conservation lands, including native plant communities, fuel loads, wildfire risk, and disturbance indicators 
• Supporting targeted species surveys and habitat evaluations 
• Implementing restoration and stewardship activities such as invasive plant control, native seeding and out-planting, debris cleanup, and vertical mulching 
• Supporting the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of fences, trails, roads, and related site infrastructure 
• Assisting with or independently conducting pre-acquisition environmental due diligence, site inspections, and stewardship scoring 
• Using GIS and related tools to analyze land conditions and prepare maps, graphics, reports, and other work products 
• Maintaining monitoring records, stewardship documentation, and land management data 
• Collaborating with internal staff, volunteers, contractors, landowners, and external partners 
• Assisting with facilities inspection and maintenance coordination on conservation lands 

Qualifications
Qualified candidates will generally bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience 
• Level I: at least 1 year of relevant field experience 
• Level II: at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in field ecology, land stewardship, habitat restoration, conservation planning, or a closely related field 
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS or similar GIS platforms 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 
• A valid Class C driver’s license 
• Wilderness First Responder certification, or the ability to obtain it within 12 months of hire 

Helpful additional experience includes desert wildlife or vegetation knowledge, Mojave or Colorado Desert plant identification, 4WD/off-highway driving, trailer handling, volunteer coordination, and technical writing or reporting.

Work Environment
This is a regular full-time position normally scheduled on MDLT’s 9/80 work schedule. 
The position requires regular travel throughout MDLT’s service area in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, with fieldwork conducted using MDLT vehicles.
The incumbent must reside within reasonable commuting distance of MDLT headquarters in Joshua Tree, California, and be able to report to headquarters on short notice. The role generally includes approximately one day per week at headquarters, with remote work permitted on other scheduled workdays when fieldwork or other in-person duties are not required.
The position also requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends and to camp overnight in remote primitive areas, up to approximately eight nights per month, 
primarily in the spring and fall. MDLT provides camping equipment and supplies for required work-related camping.
This role requires the ability to work outdoors in rugged desert conditions, hike crosscountry over uneven terrain, and safely perform physically demanding fieldwork.

Compensation
This position may be filled at either level depending on qualifications and experience. The anticipated starting salary ranges are:
• Conservation Ecology Specialist I: $21.76 per hour ($45,253.45 annually) to $23.77 per hour ($49,449.67 annually) 
• Conservation Ecology Specialist II: $23.77 per hour ($49,449.67 annually) to $26.76 per hour ($55,656.04 annually)

We offer a competitive salary along with an excellent benefits package; visit the full position announcement on our website for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employment
Mojave Desert Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities, landscapes, and partners connected to our mission. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen conservation. If you have the skills, passion, 
and curiosity to thrive in a collaborative conservation environment, we encourage you to apply.