[ES_JOBS_NET] Historical Ecologist – RL 2026-02

[Anna De Lopez]

*Historical Ecologist – RL 2026-02*

Location: Richmond, California
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/4911+Central+Ave,+Richmond,+California+94804>

Program: Resilient Landscapes

Type: Full-time and Part Time

Experience Level: Entry Level

Position Type: Permanent

Workplace: Hybrid

Salary: $84,459 - $93,164

Apply to: https://www.sfei.org/about/employment-opportunities



*Position Description*

The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) <https://www.sfei.org/> provides
scientific support to communities, local governments, and agencies to plan
and implement multi-benefit resilience strategies throughout California.
Historical ecology is a key part of our expertise – it allows us to
understand how physical processes and ecosystems interact to support
ecological functions and biodiversity and offers insight into how
landscapes have changed over time, which in turn helps guide planning for
future management and restoration strategies. Key SFEI historical ecology
reports include the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Study
<https://www.sfei.org/DeltaHEStudy>, Hidden Nature SF
<https://www.sfei.org/projects/hidden-nature-san-francisco>, the Peninsula
Watershed Historical Ecology Study
<https://www.sfei.org/projects/peninsula-watershed-historical-ecology-study>,
and Reconnecting Riverside with its River
<https://www.sfei.org/projects/reconnecting-riverside-with-its-river>.



SFEI seeks two talented early career scientists with a physical science
and/or ecology background interested in historical research and California
ecosystems to join our team in the Resilient Landscapes Program
<https://www.sfei.org/content/about-resilient-landscapes-program>. One role
is Full Time and one role is Part Time (seasonal). In addition to
historical ecology, the selected candidates will provide support across the
Program, working with our teams focused on urban nature, shoreline
adaptation, watersheds and wetlands health, and Delta ecosystem management.



These positions offer an opportunity to work with an outstanding
multidisciplinary team of scientists on innovative projects that help
improve the resilience of communities and wildlife to land use change and
various aspects of climate change. We are looking for someone who can start
immediately.

These positions will be primarily involved in historical ecology projects
and also support other projects advancing landscape-scale conservation
planning that promotes ecosystem resilience and restoration.

*Primary position responsibilities will include:*

*Historical Ecology*


   - Archival research (in-person and online) to uncover primary sources
   pertaining to landscape patterns and physical and ecological conditions and
   processes prior to major Euro-American modifications.
   - Compile data using various techniques to organize historical and other
   environmental data and information (texts, photographs, and maps).
   - Synthesize historical data using GIS and other methods to reconstruct
   historical landscapes.
   - Analyze and describe patterns and processes of historical landscapes
   and evaluate landscape change to inform planning, management, and
   restoration strategies.
   - Write in-depth technical reports, general-audience summaries, and
   peer-reviewed manuscripts.
   - Present to general and technical audiences.

*General, also applicable to a broader range of Resilient Landscapes
projects*


   - Summarize and visualize data (cartography, plots, graphics).
   - Conduct technical analyses, including GIS analyses.
   - Advance landscape-scale conservation and adaptation planning using a
   quantitative approach.
   - Support the development of conceptual restoration designs.
   - Synthesize information from interdisciplinary teams, including
   community-based organizations, technical advisors, and agency partners.
   - Write sections of technical reports and memos.
   - Provide project management support.
   - Become trained in the California Rapid Assessment Method
   <https://www.cramwetlands.org/> (CRAM) and conduct CRAM field work, in
   addition to other field work.

If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align
perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you
to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of
our other roles.



*Qualifications*

·       This position requires participating in field work (may be early
morning, late nights, or weekends).

·       This position requires in-person presence in the office or at an
off-site meeting at least one day per week.

·       Candidates must be local; remote locations will not be considered.



*Required Experience*


   - Bachelor's degree (with 2 years of experience) or Master’s degree
   (with 0 years of experience) in a related field (e.g., environmental
   history or historical ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology,
   geography, other environmental science, environmental planning, landscape
   architecture).

*Required Skills*


   - Background and/or interest in historical and/or archival research.
   - Excellent research skills and attention to detail.
   - Excellent GIS skills.
   - Ability to creatively synthesize, analyze, and/or visualize
   information (e.g., Excel/R/Python, ArcGIS, and/or data visualization
   techniques).
   - Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate
   findings clearly in writing and presentations and translate complex
   concepts for both general and technical audiences.
   - Demonstrated experience in concurrently managing multiple tasks,
   maintaining efficiency, and balancing priorities and deadlines.
   - Excellent organizational skills, including tracking tasks and
   deadlines, scheduling meetings, and coordinating with partners.
   - Collaborative and supportive work approach, and being part of an
   effective team.

*Preferred Skills*


   - Knowledge of San Francisco Bay-Delta and California ecosystems or
   dynamics.
   - Ability to manage tasks and deliver products on time and on budget.
   - Experience in community-based planning and communicating with diverse
   stakeholder groups.

*Our work bridges many topical areas. We do not require expertise in all of
these areas, but the successful candidate should have an interest in and
knowledge of one or more of the following: *


   - Ecology (Tidal/freshwater wetland, terrestrial, riparian, wildlife)
   - Geomorphic and hydrologic/hydraulic processes
   - Relationships between hydrogeomorphic and ecological dynamics in
   riverine and tidal ecosystems
   - Numerical modeling (e.g., hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality,
   groundwater flow)
   - Geospatial or geostatistical analyses
   - Urban ecology
   - Sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation
   - Wetland monitoring and assessment, including CRAM and vegetation
   monitoring
   - Ecosystem service quantification or assessments (e.g., flood
   protection, heat island effect reduction, or human health benefits)
   - Landscape-scale conservation and restoration
   - Programming (R, Python)
   - Data visualization using Adobe tools (Illustrator, InDesign,
   Photoshop), AutoCAD, Rhino, or similar software


-- 
*Anna de Lopez*, BA

Administrative Services & Facilities Coordinator

Operations  |  RMP  |  CRAM

San Francisco Estuary Institute <https://www.sfei.org/>

510.746.7334 office  |  415.608.4945 cell

-- 


How SFEI's Science Made a Difference 
<https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/SFEIImpactReport.pdf> This Year
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