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Restoration Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ecologist

Barstow, CA ยท On-site +1

$71K - $113K/yr

Develop and conduct scientifically credible protection, mitigation, and restoration projects. * Develops and carryout statistically valid data collection protocols for ecological components and ...

Field Ecologist II-III

West Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$23 - $30/hr

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Field Ecologist to join our Ecological Restoration team in our West Chicago office. As a Field Ecologist, you will play a crucial role in studying and ...

Field Ecologist II-III

Woodridge, IL ยท On-site

$23 - $30/hr

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Field Ecologist to join our Ecological Restoration team in our West Chicago office. As a Field Ecologist, you will play a crucial role in studying and ...

Showing results 41-60

Restoration Ecologist information

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$39.5K

$64.6K

$86.5K

How much do restoration ecologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 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?

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 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.

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 are popular job titles related to Restoration Ecologist jobs? For Restoration Ecologist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Restoration Ecologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,560 per year, or $31 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Overview
As an Ecologist with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), in our Athens, PA office, you'll work with project teams to navigate today's complex environmental regulatory landscape, helping our energy, commercial, and industrial clients to achieve their objectives while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations. You'll begin by assisting on wetland and stream delineations, preparing delineation reports, and helping to prepare permit applications. You will enter our career model where you aren't just an assistant but a leader in training. You will learn what data to collect and why we collect it. As you progress on your career path, you can eventually lead field teams and gain project management experience. Approximately equal amounts of your time will be spent working in the field and in the office.
CEC's corporate Ecological Practice accounts for a significant portion of our annual revenues, making it an essential part of the integrated services that we offer to our clients. CEC's Ecological Practice distinguishes itself from the service offerings of other firms because of the breadth of our technical expertise including: wetland and stream delineations and permitting; compensatory mitigation; threatened & endangered species surveys and compliance; ecosystem restoration; and environmental planning (NEPA and FERC). The corporate practice group works cooperatively across all CEC offices to bring the necessary ecological expertise to our clients' specific project needs.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor's or higher degree in a natural sciences field (e.g., Biology, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, or Forestry)
  • Ability and desire to work outdoors accurately collecting data in varying weather conditions and terrain while adhering to operating procedures and safety policies
  • Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work as a team player, take direction, and collaborate with others.

Desired qualifications:
  • Previous internship or 1+ years of professional ecological or biological experience
  • Experience assisting and leading wetland and stream delineations and preparing reports
  • Botanical and plant identification skills
  • 40-Hour wetland delineation training
  • Experience preparing Pennsylvania Chapter 105 permit applications
  • Experience using mapping-grade GPS and ArcGIS Pro

About Us
We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.
We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community - focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite - focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA - focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women - focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!
We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you - that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.
CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.
CEC is an equal opportunity employer. CEC does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.
THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS
If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited. Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.