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Conservation Data Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SFZOO

Field Conservation Manager

San Francisco, CA

$71K/yr

Division: Conservation Reports To: Director of Field Conservation FLSA Status: Exempt, Regular ... of scientific data to collaborating agencies, funding organizations, and research partners. 16.

Marine Mammal Center

Marine Science Educator

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$28 - $31.49/hr

... recording data. * Facilitate check-in and check-out procedures for assigned programs. * Address ... Maintains up to date knowledge of marine mammal science, ocean conservation, and climate change ...

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Conservation Data Science information

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$37K

$121.1K

$193.9K

How much do conservation data science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for conservation data science in California is $121,131.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects or datasets do conservation data scientists typically work with?

Conservation Data Scientists often engage with projects analyzing biodiversity trends, wildlife populations, land use changes, or climate impact assessments by working with geospatial, remote sensing, and field survey datasets. This role may involve building predictive models for species distribution, conducting statistical analyses to guide conservation policy, or creating data visualizations for stakeholder reports. You’ll commonly collaborate with ecologists, GIS specialists, field researchers, and policy teams to ensure data-driven decision-making. Working in this field provides exposure to practical conservation challenges and offers opportunities to contribute directly to environmental preservation initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in conservation data science, and why are they important?

To thrive in Conservation Data Science, a strong foundation in data analysis, statistics, ecology or environmental science, and a relevant academic background such as a bachelor's or master's degree is essential. Familiarity with tools such as R, Python, GIS software, and experience working with large ecological datasets or conservation platforms is often required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication skills enable collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and effective translation of data insights to non-technical stakeholders. These capabilities are crucial for transforming complex environmental data into actionable conservation strategies and measurable impact.

What is conservation data science?

A Conservation Data Science job involves using data analysis, machine learning, and geographic information systems (GIS) to support environmental and wildlife conservation efforts. Professionals in this field collect, clean, and analyze ecological data to identify trends, model species distributions, and inform conservation policies. They often collaborate with researchers, government agencies, and nonprofits to optimize resource management and biodiversity protection. This role requires proficiency in programming, statistics, and domain-specific knowledge of conservation science.

What are the most commonly searched types of Conservation Data Science jobs in California? The most popular types of Conservation Data Science jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Conservation Data Science jobs in California? For Conservation Data Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Conservation Data Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Conservation Data Science jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Conservation Data Science jobs? Cities in California with the most Conservation Data Science job openings:
Conservation Data Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Conservation Data Science job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $121,131 per year, or $58.2 per hour.

Science and Conservation Associate

Laguna Ocean Foundation

Laguna Beach, CA • Remote

Part-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Science and Conservation Associate

Location: Laguna Beach, California
Organization: Laguna Ocean Foundation (LOF)
Status: Part-time (Contingent upon funding)

About Laguna Ocean Foundation

The Laguna Ocean Foundation (LOF) is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring Laguna Beach’s coastal ecosystems through science, education, conservation, and community engagement. Working with universities, government agencies, and community partners, LOF is advancing innovative coastal monitoring by integrating field ecology with drones, GIS, machine learning, environmental DNA (eDNA), and citizen science.

Position Summary

LOF seeks a motivated Science and Conservation Associate to support the technical foundation of its research and conservation programs. This position transforms field observations into high-quality geospatial data that inform ecological monitoring, restoration, conservation planning, and public education across Laguna Beach’s Marine Protected Areas.

The Associate will manage geospatial workflows—from drone and underwater ROV surveys through machine-learning analysis, GIS integration, habitat mapping, and scientific visualization. Working closely with LOF biologists, university researchers, GIS specialists, and interns, the Associate will help build one of California’s most comprehensive long-term coastal spatial datasets while supporting scientific publications, grant-funded research, StoryMaps, and emerging conservation technologies.

Position contingent upon funding.

Primary Responsibilities

Remote Sensing & Field Operations

● Conduct drone surveys under FAA Part 107 regulations.

● Operate underwater ROVs to document marine habitats.

● Coordinate field logistics, equipment, permits, and data collection.

GIS & Spatial Analysis

● Process drone imagery into ortho-mosaics and elevation models.

● Maintain GIS databases and produce habitat, species, and change-detection maps.

● Integrate remote sensing with biological field data.

Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

● Develop and apply machine-learning models for habitat and species classification.

● Improve classification workflows and support Python-based geospatial automation.

Research & Communication

● Collaborate with scientists and partner institutions on applied conservation research.

● Assist with scientific publications, technical reports, grant proposals, and conference presentations.

● Develop Story-Maps, dashboards, and visual products that communicate science to diverse audiences.

Training & Program Support

● Mentor interns and volunteers in GIS, drone operations, and data collection.

● Help establish standardized monitoring and data management protocols.

Required Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Ecology, or related field (or equivalent experience).

● At least one year of experience in remote sensing, GIS, spatial analysis, or environmental monitoring.

● Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS.

● Experience with Python for geospatial analysis or machine learning.

● Experience processing drone imagery using photogrammetry.

● Familiarity with image classification or computer vision workflows.

● Knowledge of geospatial data management and reproducible workflows.

● FAA Part 107 certification (or ability to obtain).

● Excellent organizational, communication, and technical writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

● Experience in coastal or marine ecosystems.

● Underwater ROV experience.

● Familiarity with eDNA, ecological monitoring, or conservation research.

● Experience working with universities, government agencies, or nonprofits.

● Grant writing or peer-reviewed publication experience.

● Experience with ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, Dashboards, or web GIS.

● Knowledge of TensorFlow, PyTorch, Detectron2, or similar frameworks.

● Experience with cloud-based geospatial workflows.

Please send your resume and cover letter to: Please send in your material by July 31 to info@lagunaoceanfoundation.org

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