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Historical Ecologist
San Francisco Estuary Institute
San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 13, 2026
Historical Ecologist
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Location: Richmond, California
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Program: Resilient Landscapes
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Type: Full-time and Part Time
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Experience Level: Entry Level
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Position Type: Permanent
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Salary: $84,459 - $93,164. See details below.
Position Description
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Posted: March 12, 2026
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First review of applications: March 26, 2026
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Application closing date: April 6, 2026 (position may remain open if needed)
The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) 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, Hidden Nature SF, the Peninsula Watershed Historical Ecology Study, and 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. 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.
Position Description
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
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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.
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Compile data using various techniques to organize historical and other environmental data and information (texts, photographs, and maps).
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Synthesize historical data using GIS and other methods to reconstruct historical landscapes.
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Analyze and describe patterns and processes of historical landscapes and evaluate landscape change to inform planning, management, and restoration strategies.
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Write in-depth technical reports, general-audience summaries, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
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Present to general and technical audiences.
General, also applicable to a broader range of Resilient Landscapes projects
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Summarize and visualize data (cartography, plots, graphics).
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Conduct technical analyses, including GIS analyses.
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Advance landscape-scale conservation and adaptation planning using a quantitative approach.
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Support the development of conceptual restoration designs.
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Synthesize information from interdisciplinary teams, including community-based organizations, technical advisors, and agency partners.
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Write sections of technical reports and memos.
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Provide project management support.
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Become trained in the California Rapid Assessment Method (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
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This position requires participating in field work (may be early morning, late nights, or weekends)
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This position requires in-person presence in the office or at an off-site meeting at least one day per week.
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Candidates must be local; remote locations will not be considered.
Required Experience
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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
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Background and/or interest in historical and/or archival research
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Excellent research skills and attention to detail
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Excellent GIS skills
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Ability to creatively synthesize, analyze, and/or visualize information (e.g., Excel/R/Python, ArcGIS, and/or data visualization techniques)
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Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate findings clearly in writing and presentations and translate complex concepts for both general and technical audiences
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Demonstrated experience in concurrently managing multiple tasks, maintaining efficiency, and balancing priorities and deadlines.
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Excellent organizational skills, including tracking tasks and deadlines, scheduling meetings, and coordinating with partners.
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Collaborative and supportive work approach, and being part of an effective team.
Preferred Skills
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Knowledge of San Francisco Bay-Delta and California ecosystems or dynamics
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Ability to manage tasks and deliver products on time and on budget
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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:
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Ecology (Tidal/freshwater wetland, terrestrial, riparian, wildlife)
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Geomorphic and hydrologic/hydraulic processes
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Relationships between hydrogeomorphic and ecological dynamics in riverine and tidal ecosystems
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Numerical modeling (e.g., hydrologic, hydraulic, water quality, groundwater flow)
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Geospatial or geostatistical analyses
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Urban ecology
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Sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation
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Wetland monitoring and assessment, including CRAM and vegetation monitoring
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Ecosystem service quantification or assessments (e.g., flood protection, heat island effect reduction, or human health benefits)
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Landscape-scale conservation and restoration
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Programming (R, Python)
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Data visualization using Adobe tools (Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop), AutoCAD, Rhino, or similar software
Salary & Benefits Highlights:
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This will be an Environmental Analyst or Associate Environmental Scientist position within the Resilient Landscapes Program. The anticipated salary range for full-time employment is $84,459 - $93,164 for this position. Salary ranges take into account many factors for making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, education, internal salary structure, and organizational needs. We expect to offer starting salaries at or near the lower end of the salary range. Note that the salary range covers two levels in our job structure. Candidates will be placed into one of the two levels, depending on experience.
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Matching contributions to retirement plan (immediate vesting) (403B)
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Medical Insurance: health, vision, dental with employer and employee contributions
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12 paid holidays
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Vacation days starting at 3 weeks accrual/year
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Hybrid workplace (remote work for this position is not available)
About Resilient Landscapes
SFEI’s Resilient Landscapes Program develops innovative ecosystem restoration and management strategies to re-establish and sustain essential ecosystem functions and services. These strategies are helping integrate natural and human infrastructure to create systems that are more adaptive to climate change and other stressors. We are an interdisciplinary program of 35 scientists (geomorphologists, hydrologists, ecologists), landscape architects, and GIS specialists – we work closely together and collaborate with staff in SFEI's other programs: Clean Water and Environmental Informatics.
About SFEI
San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has a 30 year track record of providing robust and innovative science to decision-makers, policy-makers, practitioners, and community members to measurably improve the health and resiliency of Bay-Delta ecosystems. As a boundary organization, SFEI operates at the interface between science and policy, recognized nationally for our ability to build consensus to support effective environmental decision-making and policy. Our mission is to deliver visionary science that empowers people to revitalize nature in our communities.
SFEI employs an interdisciplinary staff of more than 90. Our operations and IT staff are the backbone of our organization and keep everything running smoothly. SFEI has three major programs: Clean Water, Environmental Informatics, and Resilient Landscapes. Our program staff represent numerous scientific and technological fields, including chemistry, modeling, ecology, wildlife biology, landscape planning, historical ecology, geomorphology, geospatial analysis, and web development.
For more information on our mission, values, programs, and staff, visit the San Francisco Estuary Institute website.
Employment Considerations
San Francisco Estuary Institute is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, family or parental status, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Accommodations Statement
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website or application portal as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact us at 510-746-7355 or admin@sfei.org.
Other Key Information
Please note that SFEI cannot sponsor an employment visa (e.g., H-1B) to fill this position.
In the spirit of a fair hiring process, no phone calls or emails please.