ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Restoration Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Biohabitats

Restoration Ecologist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Biohabitats is seeking a Restoration Ecologist with experience in southeast Piedmont and Coastal ecosystems to join our growing Southeast Atlantic Bioregion team. The ideal candidate will have ...

Biohabitats

Restoration Ecologist

Raleigh, NC · Hybrid

$90K - $110K/yr

Biohabitats is seeking a Restoration Ecologist with experience in southeast Piedmont and Coastal ecosystems to join our growing Southeast Atlantic Bioregion team. The ideal candidate will have ...

mkecounty

Restoration Ecologist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$22.56 - $33.85/hr

Restoration Ecologist Milwaukee County Parks Hourly Pay Range: $22.56 - $33.85 Closing Date: 7/16/2026 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications Parks Equity Statement : Milwaukee County Parks is ...

mkecounty

Restoration Ecologist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$22.56 - $33.85/hr

Restoration Ecologist Milwaukee County Parks Hourly Pay Range: $22.56 - $33.85 Closing Date: 7/16/2026 or upon receipt of the first 50 applications Parks Equity Statement : Milwaukee County Parks is ...

Ecotone

Project Ecologist I

Cockeysville, MD

$90K - $115K/hr

Water Resources Manager Salary Range: $90,000-$115,000 About Us Ecotone's mission is simple and powerful: we work with nature and people to restore ecological integrity. Position Summary The Project ...

River Partners

Biologist

Sacramento, CA · On-site

The Restoration Ecologist works with River Partners' biology, field implementation, and development teams to identify, develop and execute riparian habitat restoration projects. Here are some of the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRestoration Ecologist Jobs

Restoration Ecologist information

See salary details

$39.5K

$64.6K

$86.5K

How much do restoration ecologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for restoration ecologist in the United States is $64,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,500.00 and $75,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Restoration Ecologist do?

A Restoration Ecologist works to restore and rehabilitate degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats. They assess environmental issues, develop restoration plans, and implement strategies such as replanting native vegetation or controlling invasive species. Their goal is to return ecosystems to a healthy, functioning state, often collaborating with landowners, government agencies, and conservation organizations. Restoration Ecologists also monitor restored sites to ensure long-term sustainability and ecological balance.

What is the difference between Restoration Ecologist vs Environmental Scientist?

AspectRestoration EcologistEnvironmental Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field; certifications like Certified EcologistBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Biology, or related; certifications vary
Work EnvironmentFieldwork in ecosystems, wetlands, forests; project sitesLaboratories, field sites, policy settings
Industry UsageFocused on restoring damaged ecosystems and habitatsBroader environmental issues, research, policy, and consulting

Restoration Ecologists specialize in restoring ecosystems and habitats, often working directly in the field. Environmental Scientists have a broader scope, including research, policy, and environmental assessment. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Restoration Ecologists focus more on hands-on ecological restoration projects.

What are some common challenges Restoration Ecologists face when implementing habitat restoration projects?

Restoration Ecologists often encounter challenges such as balancing ecological goals with budgetary and timeline constraints, managing invasive species, and addressing conflicting stakeholder interests. Field conditions can be unpredictable, requiring flexibility and creative problem-solving. Additionally, long-term monitoring and adaptive management are crucial, as restored habitats may respond differently than anticipated. Collaboration with landowners, government agencies, and multidisciplinary teams is essential to navigate these complexities and achieve successful project outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Restoration Ecologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restoration Ecologist, you need a strong background in ecology, environmental science, and habitat restoration, usually demonstrated by a relevant degree. Familiarity with GIS software, ecological monitoring tools, and environmental permitting processes is often required. Strong project management, teamwork, and communication skills help facilitate collaboration with stakeholders and convey complex ecological concepts. These competencies are crucial for designing, implementing, and evaluating successful ecological restoration projects that meet both environmental and regulatory standards.

What is the highest paying ecology job?

In ecology, senior roles such as Environmental Directors or Conservation Managers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong project management skills, and may involve overseeing large projects or teams in environmental consulting or government agencies.

What can you do with a restoration ecology degree?

A restoration ecologist can work on restoring and managing ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands. They often conduct field research, develop conservation plans, and use tools like GIS and native plant knowledge. Careers can include environmental consulting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

Restoration ecologist roles are unlikely to disappear by 2030, but some manual or less specialized environmental jobs may decline due to automation and technological advancements. Roles requiring fieldwork and ecological assessment skills will continue to evolve, emphasizing data analysis and remote sensing tools.

What Does a Restoration Ecologist Do?

A restoration ecologist works to repair an ecosystem or natural habitat that has been damaged by humans, especially through industrial processes. Your duties in this career include designing and implementing environment rehabilitation projects and educating the public on conservation and ecology. The areas you focus on repairing include soil, water, and air quality, or you can choose a specific specialization. Other responsibilities include assessing areas that require remediation, identifying causes of damage, working in a lab to determine chemical contamination and severity, and conducting research on how to clean up various types of waste using natural processes such as plants or more extreme strategies. You collaborate with other industry experts, especially for complicated cases.

How do you become a restoration ecologist?

To become a restoration ecologist, typically a bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental science, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or Ph.D. for advanced roles. Gaining experience through internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions and developing skills in plant identification, habitat assessment, and project management are also important. Certifications such as the Society for Ecological Restoration's Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner can enhance job prospects.
More about Restoration Ecologist jobs
What cities are hiring for Restoration Ecologist jobs? Cities with the most Restoration Ecologist job openings:
What states have the most Restoration Ecologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Restoration Ecologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Restoration Ecologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Restoration Ecologist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Restoration Ecologist jobs? For Restoration Ecologist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Restoration Ecologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restoration Ecologist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 35% As Needed, 20% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 37% Temporary, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,560 per year, or $31 per hour.
Restoration Ecologist

Restoration Ecologist

Biohabitats

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Biohabitats is seeking a Restoration Ecologist with experience in southeast Piedmont and Coastal ecosystems to join our growing Southeast Atlantic Bioregion team.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in ecological assessment, restoration, and monitoring of freshwater and coastal wetlands, riverine and riparian systems, native grasslands, and the forest communities of Southeast Atlantic ecosystems. They will also bring project management experience, with the ability to lead projects, coordinate across teams, and manage timelines and deliverables effectively. Strong field ecology skills are essential, including native plant identification, wetland identification and delineation, tree surveys, coastal and terrestrial habitat assessments, RTE surveys, and wildlife monitoring.
Biohabitats works with public, private, and not-for-profit clients to restore and regenerate life-supporting ecological processes and create a world of abundant biodiversity, climate resilience, environmental justice, and clean water. Our shared mission to restore the earth and inspire ecological stewardship serves as the foundation for our practice, while self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose define our culture. As a perpetual purpose trust owned company, Biohabitats' commitment to nature is resolute.
We provide outstanding benefits as described on our Careers page.
Role and Responsibilities
  • Conduct ecological field studies, watershed assessments, and biological monitoring and reporting.

  • Support all phases of ecological restoration and natural lands management. planning, assessment, design, permitting, construction oversight, and monitoring.

  • Serve as Project Manager and/or Technical Lead on projects.

  • Lead/participate in technical meetings with internal and external team members, clients, permitting agencies, owners, and community stakeholders to review project updates, activities, and deliverables.

  • Lead/support clear, comprehensive deliverables (reports, plans, drawings, specifications, & cost estimates).

  • Review deliverables for regulatory compliance, participate in regulatory permitting processes.

  • Support business development and proposal preparation.

Required Skills, Experience, and Knowledge
  • Project management experience.

  • Knowledgeable in ecological data collection and assessment of inland/coastal wetland systems, piedmont and coastal riverine systems, and Southeastern flora and fauna.

  • Understanding of ecological design principles (wetland, streams, living shorelines, nature-based solutions, green infrastructure).

  • Familiarity with restoration design including the development of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.

  • Knowledge and experience with federal and state regulatory permitting.

  • Familiarity with ArcGIS and proficient in Microsoft 365.

  • Strong communication skills and ability to work both independently or collaboratively.

Preferred Skills, Experience, and Knowledge in:
  • SER restoration recovery wheel standards, SITES, Living Buildings Ecology of Place petal, and WELL.

  • Broader southeastern ecosystems of Ridge and Valley, Mississippi Coastal Plain, Gulf, Appalachian Plateau.

  • Community engagement (e.g. representing firm/projects at public meetings, participation in design/planning workshops).

  • Business development and proposal preparation.

Education
MS or PhD preferred in ecology (Restoration Ecology, Ecology, Biology, Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Sciences, etc.)
Years of Relevant Experience
7 + years of relevant experience
Professional Registration
Relevant certification or ability to obtain within six months is a plus (e.g., Professional Ecologist, Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, Professional Wetland Scientist)
Salary Range
$90,000.00 - $110,000.00
Location
Raleigh, NC or Charleston, SC
Biohabitats provides a flexible, hybrid work environment with new team members expected to initially spend several days each week in the Charleston or Raleigh office during onboarding, but with the ability to transition to fewer office days per week, with flexibility to adjust based on field work and travel.
To Apply
Provide Cover Letter, Resume, and Work Sample as Adobe Acrobat files (not to exceed 10 MB). Please note that the work sample should demonstrate ecological assessments and/or writing skills. Applications without these components will not be considered.
Biohabitats is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a purpose-driven, performance oriented, and values led organization. We are a certified B-Corp, meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance. To ensure you will thrive at Biohabitats, we highly encourage you to review our Mission and Values before applying. Biohabitats also participates in the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of all new hires to work in the United States. All employees are required to verify their identity and employment authorization under U.S. law. For more information on E-Verify, please visit: https://www.e-verify.gov.
Biohabitats is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status

Apply