Organizational Summary: Integral Ecology Research Center (IERC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to wildlife conservation and ecosystem health through scientific research. Our mission is to perform ecological research and compile, organize, and disseminate the results of this research to increase scientific knowledge for the public, advance the management and conservation of wildlife species and their communities, and enhance overall ecosystem health and conservation. We collaborate with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to advance species monitoring and management. 

Project Background: This position will be in partnership and in support of the USDA Forest Service Region 5’s long-term, bioregional Sierra Nevada Amphibian Monitoring Program (SNAMPH). SNAMPH conducts backcountry monitoring on National Forest lands throughout California Sierra Nevada to assess population status and trends of three federally listed species: Yosemite toad, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, and southern mountain yellow-legged frog. Field work is conducted primarily in remote, high-elevation backcountry settings and will involve repeated, extended backpacking trips and amphibian surveys in the Sierra Nevada. 

Position Summary: Under the general direction of the IERC Research Scientist, and in close collaboration with the Forest Service Monitoring Team Leader, the Ecological Project Coordinator (EPC) will play a pivotal role in bridging project-level execution with program-level strategy for the SNAMPH. This position provides comprehensive operational oversight of daily project activities and serves as a primary liaison between Forest Service program leads, IERC staff, and field personnel. 

The EPC is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing field operations, data collection protocols, quality assurance procedures, and logistical coordination for a typically 8-person amphibian monitoring crew operating in remote backcountry locations (5,000–12,000 ft elevation) that require backpacking and camping trips of up to 8 days in remote field settings and terrain. 

The role demands proactive identification and resolution of challenges related to fieldwork, safety, and data management, with a strong emphasis on maintaining compliance with scientific, regulatory, and safety standards. This is a supervisory/lead position requiring strong leadership and mentorship capabilities. The EPC is responsible for leading and/or assisting in hiring, training, guiding, and overseeing project staff, including seasonal field technicians and interns, ensuring that all team activities adhere to project specifications and professional standards while fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment that supports both individual development and project success. 

The duration of the project is estimated to be 12 months. This position is based on grant funding and will be periodically reviewed for extension and is offered on an at-will basis, consistent with California law. 

Key Knowledge, Qualifications, and Skills Required for Position 

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, natural resource management, or a closely related field (or equivalent professional experience). 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in project or team coordination, with a demonstrated ability to organize complex workflows and deliver results under tight deadlines. 
• Knowledge and expertise in amphibian ecology and survey techniques, including visual encounter surveys and basic habitat data collection. 
• Demonstrated backpacking and backcountry experience in high-elevation mountain areas, including ability to safely backpack heavy pack loads to remote locations, camp for up to 8 consecutive nights, and lead others in these activities. This position requires extensive and strenuous travel and may include weekend work. 
• Experience and skills with data management, including familiarity with or aptitude to learn software such as R (or other statistical software), MS Access, ArcGIS, and related tools for managing and analyzing ecological monitoring data. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.). 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with scientific writing and reporting, and the ability to synthesize complex technical information for diverse audiences. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience leading crews or teams in remote field settings and building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external partners. 

Preferred 

• Graduate-level training or equivalent professional experience in amphibian ecology, population monitoring, or related fields. 
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder field logistics or long-term ecological monitoring projects. 
• Experience managing the development of publication-quality reports or technical guidance documents. 
• Proficiency with additional tools such as Survey123, GPS/GIS field data collection platforms, and advanced data management systems. 
• Familiarity with federal land management agencies, especially the USDA Forest Service, and associated regulatory or policy frameworks relevant to species monitoring and conservation.