Seasonal Coastal Ecologist

The Trustees of Reservations is hiring a Seasonal Coastal Ecologist in Ipswich, MA, from May 15 to October 30, 2025. The role involves monitoring and managing ecological restoration efforts in the Great Marsh, focusing on habitat protection, bird surveys, and data collection related to salt marsh restoration. This position is onsite, requires 40 hours per week, and offers a salary of $16.50 to $19.00 per hour.
• December 10, 2024
Employer: The Trustees of Reservations

Location: Ipswich, MA

Country: United States

Last Date to Apply: 05/09/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16.50 to $19.00

Housing: housing may be available, but space is limited

Hours per week: 40

Job Classification: Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration: May 15th – October 30th

Location: The Great Marsh, Ipswich, MA

If you are interested in the role, please apply through our job board: https://thetrustees.org/program/careers-at-the-trustees/

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

As a Seasonal Coastal Ecologist, you will be part of the Natural Resources Team who is responsible for exemplary habitat protection and management statewide including 2,000 acres of salt marsh, 26 miles of barrier beach, an exemplary beach-nesting shorebird program and more than 700 acres of barrens habitat. This will be an opportunity to learn about and participate in many of the modern stewardship challenges land managers face today, especially those being exacerbated by climate change

The Role:

The Trustees of Reservations seeks a Coastal Ecologist for the summer season to assist with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with several large-scale ecological restoration efforts in Eastern Massachusetts. The primary focus of the position includes collecting monitoring data at multiple locations in the Great Marsh, the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern as part of an innovative partnership to restore resiliency and habitat to the Great Marsh. This position will also include monitoring for white tailed deer browse impacts on 15 properties as part of The Trustees program to reduce deer browse impacts and improve habitat resiliency on thousands of acres of protected land.

Specifically, you’ll:

Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on 358 acres of salt marsh including:

o Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)

o Monitoring tern foraging activity

o Monitoring non-breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinate volunteer participation as time allows

o Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites

· Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh

· Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands and marsh pools

· Provide daily oversight for seasonal interns assisting with coastal habitat and species monitoring

· Analyze collected data for birds, mosquitoes, salt marsh restoration and complete annual reports

· Survey monitoring plots for deer browse at 15 forested properties throughout eastern Massachusetts

· Other tasks and duties as assigned related to the Coastal Ecology Program

This is a limited term, non-exempt position working 40 hours/per week reporting directly to the Lead Coastal Ecologist.

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

· Required:

o At least 3 months of previous field experience (does not need to be in salt marsh)

o Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field

o The ability to identify marsh feeding and breeding birds by sight and sound

o The ability to identify plants

o Strong verbal and written communication skills

o The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public

o The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions

o The ability to perform physically strenuous duties, such as hiking up to several miles throughout a day

o The ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds

o The ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife, weather, tides and contractor availability)

o Access to private transportation, mileage will be reimbursed

· Preferred experience:

o Marsh-nesting bird surveys

o Biological data collection and management

o GPS and ArcGIS mapping and navigation

o Working with volunteers and/or citizen science programs

Eligibility Criteria:

· Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

· A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.

· A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Want to learn more? Set up an informational call with a member of our People Team by emailing people@thetrustees.org.

Your Benefits:

Sick time: Mass Sick Leave

Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.

Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

(For Limited Term):

· Housing: [Add details if applicable]

· Sick time: 80 hours

· Vacation time: 15 days per year

· Early release time: 36 hours per year

· Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating)

· Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.

· Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

· Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave

· Life Insurance

· 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment

· Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.

· Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.

· Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.  

 

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.