Field Work Scientist

Multiplier is seeking a Field Work Scientist for its Working Lands Conservation department in Logan, UT. This permanent, full-time position involves leading field-based research, managing field crews, and overseeing statistical analyses. The role emphasizes building partnerships with stakeholders and contributing to land management solutions. The ideal candidate is a field ecologist with experience in research and a passion for ecological studies across diverse ecosystems in the western U.S.
Field Work Scientist

Department: Working Lands Conservation

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Working Lands Conservation - Logan, UT

Reporting To: Lead Scientist

Compensation: $58,000 - $63,000 / year

Description

About the Organization:

Working Lands Conservation is a small, research-based non-profit located in Logan, UT. Our goal is to bring science to collaborative partnerships working to improve land management, while supporting communities and livelihoods. Through our work, we facilitate the creation of a resilient future for the communities that work, recreate, and value working lands of the western U.S.

We are a team of field ecologists and communicators. We draw on our extensive experience designing ecological studies, collecting data, and analyzing information to understand how land management contributes to landscape health and stakeholder stewardship objectives. As importantly, we realize that trust, learning, and change happen when science is shared in conversation and as stories. We thus spend as much time building relationships as we do collecting data.

We are a partner-oriented organization. We strongly believe that partnerships of diverse stakeholders lead to innovative management ideas, and that producers are the foundational stewards of working landscapes. We work closely with producers, state agencies, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and university researchers to fulfill our mission, share ideas, and inspire innovative management.

Position Summary:

We're excited to welcome a Field Work Scientist to lead our current and future field-based research and applied projects.

The Field Work Scientist will guide the implementation of Working Lands Conservation's cutting-edge research portfolio. This position implements field studies; hires and trains field crews; maintains field gear and supplies; oversees statistical analyses and publication of existing datasets; and shares results through reports, presentations, and outreach. The Field Work Scientist will play a key role in building partnerships with agencies, universities, and land stewards; and shaping the long-term vision for WLC's work in the western U.S.

Primary Responsibilities

Basic Scientific Roles:
Lead field work focused on plants, water, soils, and wildlife in rangeland uplands and riparian areas;Spearhead statistical analyses and write scientific papers using existing datasets;Strengthen existing partnerships and develop new networks;Write project reports and present research; Lead ongoing field research across projects, including travel for fieldwork, crew hiring and training, and managing logistics.

Project Development Roles:
Travel as needed to develop and initiate new projects.

Management Roles:
Hire, train, and manage Research Assistant(s) and Field Technician(s) across WLC projects, including in the WLC lab as needed;Oversee WLC project logistics;

General Roles:
Collaboratively work with the WLC team to further WLC's mission;Dedicate time to professional development of organizational and management skills;Contribute to a healthy and inclusive culture at WLC.

The Ideal Candidate

You are, at-heart, a field ecologist who loves leading field-based research across the diverse ecosystems in the US West. You have extensive experience with many research projects, and possess an understanding of the values and needs of the various land stewards that work across Western landscapes. You believe that coupling relationship-building with smart ecological data collection is the magic sauce that can break down barriers to innovative stewardship of Western landscapes.

Field work is your jam; and you'd rather be in the field than in an office. While your expertise may be in one area of ecology / conservation / management, you're a jack-of-all-trades, and have acquired a broad skill-set that includes work in multiple ecosystems. Because you are a systems thinker, you know that the more we measure, the more exciting the story we can tell about a landscape. As such, you have expertise employing many types of protocols to collect a range of plant, water, and wildlife data. You are also always excited to learn new methods and protocols to expand your expertise. You are willing to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with technicians you will mentor and other WLC staff within various projects.

You are excited about joining a small, dynamic team of scientists and communicators who are mission-driven and outcome-focused. You believe that blending academic-grade experimental design with kitchen-table relationship building roots projects in community, and leads to adaptive management with lasting impacts. You know that to thrive in a small non-profit requires nimbleness. You are flexible, are not deterred when plans change, and can draw on your problem solving skills to move projects forward. You have superb interpersonal and communication skills through which to share your vision and excitement with all those you work with. You are also grounded, having experience with project management systems that facilitate organization, efficiency, and communication.

You are dedicated to contributing and fostering a workplace centered on teamwork, a commitment to excellence, and mutual respect. The ideal candidate will be a person of integrity, humor, enthusiasm, and optimism.

Specific Experience Requested:
We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position, lending their flair to the trajectory of the Field Work Scientist role. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:
M.S. or Ph.D. in: ecology, conservation ecology, restoration ecology, rangeland ecology or other related science-based field;Significant field work experience working including: hiring, training, and managing field crews; use of a wide-range of field-based protocols, maintaining gear and ordering supplies, organizing field logistics including travel and lodging, and working closely with partners from other organizations;Strong interpersonal skills including working with multiple, diverse, stakeholder groups;Proficiency with statistical analyses of ecological data;Advanced skill undertaking GIS mapping;Experience presenting research including writing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals;Experience living / working in a remote location;Ability to (happily) spend long days in extreme conditions including cold, hot, and buggy environments;Ability to work safely in remote field locations;Ability to carry 20 pounds over uneven terrain;Valid driver's license.

Workplace, Compensation and Application

Workplace:
Working Lands Conservation has a dedicated office and laboratory in Logan, UT, which serves as a hub for team members. All team members have dedicated workspace in the office. We also value flexibility, and team members have the option to work from home offices up to 50% of out-of-field time. This position requires overnight travel to undertake field research in Utah, New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado (up to 60% time during field season (May - October) and up to 40% time annually). Team members are also required to travel to day-long or multi-day conferences and workshops annually.
Compensation: This position is full-time, salaried, exempt. Multiplier provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary ($58,000 - $63,000), excellent medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, and generous vacation and sick leave policy.

Application: To apply, please visit our Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, March 29, 2026. Please include a cover letter in your application materials describing your relevant experience and qualifications. We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.

Multiplier and WLC are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible application process for all candidates. We recognize that the traditional hiring process can create barriers. If we can support your participation in the job application or interview process by providing specific assistance or accommodation, please reach out to accommodations@multiplier.org. Requests for accommodations are confidential and will not impact your candidacy.

Working Lands Conservation is an independent operating project of the nonprofit umbrella organization, Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a growing portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world (www.multiplier.org).