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SalaryCalling all outdoor enthusiasts! Join the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in our mission to protect the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Appalachian region, ongoing since 1876. Our values encompass diversity, inclusivity, trust, and respect for the environment. As an employee, you'll gain access to enriching programs, policies, and procedures that enable you to drive real change. If you're ready to explore, protect, and create memories within a dynamic community, apply now to be a part of the AMC team!
We seek a permanent, full-time ecologist with expertise in northeastern forest and/or alpine ecosystems and a focus on Climate Change science or impacts. Suitable candidates will develop a research portfolio with a focus on forest ecology, landscape ecology, alpine communities, soil science, or a combination of these. AMC’s Research Team, in cooperation with our Maine forestry team and academic and NGO partners around the region, maintains permanent alpine phenology plots, forest inventory sites, and climate sensors across the region, engages in long-term monitoring of lakes and streams, and conducts applied research focused on Climate Change, habitat connectivity, mountain and alpine ecology, pressures of energy infrastructure siting, and forest conservation and silviculture. This position is expected to focus on our priority theme, Climate Change and natural resource protection in the mountains and forests of the Northeast, with latitude to develop a research program in one or more specific areas that address this theme. We seek an accomplished scientist with a track record of peer-reviewed publications and funded research in ecosystem science or Climate Change, a strong interest in field science, and data harmonization and synthesis, to take advantage of our decades of monitoring data and partners’ data resources.
AMC’s Research Team includes full-time staff and term positions (research fellow, interns) that conduct scientific research, monitoring, and assessment in a range of areas relevant to AMC’s mission, including mountain ecology, Climate Change, air and water quality, community science, and GIS-based landscape assessments. Research staff also support other AMC staff and departments in multiple ways including providing scientific guidance to the development of AMC public policy positions, supporting facilities and trail management, and developing cartographic products and educational materials.
While nominally based at AMC’s Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center in New Hampshire, the incumbent will occasionally need to travel to other AMC facilities and locations, which span from Virginia to Maine, and work in the backcountry.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING AT AMC
The terrestrial ecologist will provide a wide range of support services including but not limited to:
- Field data collection
- Management of large datasets
- Statistical and GIS analysis
- Training and supporting seasonal interns and community science volunteers
- Maintaining and deploying field data collection equipment
- Assisting in the development of research publications and public educational materials
- Providing expertise on threats and impacts to ecological resources and presenting research results in both formal and informal settings.
- Communicating with policymakers in state and federal roles
- Assessing the scientific basis for policy decisions.
WHAT AMC IS LOOKING FOR
- Ph.D. in a natural resource-related field, plus two or more years of academic, NGO, or agency experience preferred.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications and successful research proposals in the field.
- General knowledge of northeastern ecology.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong quantitative and analytic skills.
- Knowledge of R or other statistical analysis software.
- Experience in working with large data sets.
- Experience in field data and sample collection.
- Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided).
- Experience and comfort with backcountry navigation and working in remote field settings.
- Supervisory experience (e.g., supervision of interns, assistants, students)
- Ability to work constructively with other AMC staff, volunteers, and partners.
- Passion for conservation of the outdoors and commitment to AMC’s mission.
WHAT AMC CAN OFFER YOU
Salary range: $82,498 - $111,348 / year
We are committed to equitable compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.
Benefits
- Health Plan: Generous employer contributions through Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts with optional vision and dental.
- Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability.
- Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
- Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule.
- Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of paid earned time and up to 11 paid company holidays.
- Other Team Member Perks:
- 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
- Free Annual AMC Membership
- 10 Free nights at AMC locations
- Educational Assistance
- Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!
HOW TO APPLY AT AMC
Please include a 2-page CV, 1-page Research Statement, and cover letter. No phone calls please.
AMC welcomes all qualified candidates to apply, and we invite the full participation of all individuals currently underrepresented in the outdoor community. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from racially and/or ethnically diverse communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals who experience intersectionality with one or more of these identities.
The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.
