Ecologist Senior

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

May 9, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

77,417.60 - 112,153.60

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30 Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

The primary role of the Senior Ecologist position on the City’s Nature-Based Solutions Team is to support the protection of public health and ecosystems from the risks of environmental contaminants and vector-borne diseases. Central to this role is the synthesis of the best available science or development of related applied research to inform management. The Senior Ecologist for Public Health and Ecosystem Management has three overall areas of responsibility: Management of the City’s ongoing ecosystem-based mosquito management program; management of the city’s IPM policy implementation across all city departments; and support for broader efforts to research, develop and test nature-based solutions designed to utilize ecosystem-based approaches to increase community resilience to climate change while enhancing the health, safety and welfare of the Boulder community.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mosquito Management Program

  • Manage all aspects of the city’s annual ecosystems-based Mosquito control program in coordination with multiple departments across the city organization as the primary method for protection against West Nile virus and other vector borne illnesses.

  • Develop and administer program budget, including developing and managing contracts with consultants and contractors implementing the ecosystem-based mosquito larval control program.

  • Manage or coordinate all data synthesis, analysis, and reporting in formats suitable for decision making at both a staff and elected official level.

  • Serve as a liaison to Boulder County Public Health Department, other municipalities, and academic and agency researchers, to monitor and assess the risk of zoonotic diseases, including West Nile virus, through a community ecology approach to wetland ecosystems management.

  • Serve as the key point of public contact for this program and develop communications and educational materials for the community around West Nile virus control and othe mosquito management related inquiries. Provide community education/outreach about WNv.

  • Prepare and distribute regular reporting on mosquito management to the City Council, advisory boards and advocacy groups as needed during mosquito season.

• City-wide Ecologically Based IPM Policy and Program Management

  • Administer the city’s IPM Policy which is based on >30 years of collaborative inter-departmental coordination using a decision-making process that evaluates the risk to human and ecosystem health to determine when or if a pest management strategy should be employed. Coordinate inter-departmental, multi-disciplinary teams to develop policies, programs and practices in support of the city’s management of land, waterways, wildlife and biodiversity, developing risk-reduction strategies for both invasive species and management methods, including chemical controls.

  • Manage the citywide IPM implementation and decision-making process, including ongoing risk assessments for chemical and other methods, updating the approved pesticide list and IPM operations manual consistent with IPM policy direction and state and/or federal requirements. Ensures that the city’s program remains up to date on new chemical and non-chemical treatment strategies, scientific research, climate and other anthropogenic impacts, and policy changes that affect the city’s IPM and zoonotic disease vector management programs.

  • Facilitates ongoing shared learning opportunities for city staff about IPM, potential pest challenges and least toxic and ecosystem-focused strategies.

  • Manage the synthesis of data and evaluation of measures being utilized by the city to manage vectors of disease, vegetation, and insects under the IPM program

• Natural Climate Solutions Programs and Policy

  • Participates in cross-departmental teams coordinating integration of nature-based solutions and IPM efforts in broader city plans and actions including the development of applied research into new approaches that enhance environmental health while minimizing or eliminating exposure to potentially toxic substances.

  • Participate in the development of urban ecosystem assessment and monitoring systems designed to enhance community resilience to climate change and other disruptive forces.

  • Support analysis of potential city policy development for the implementation of critical nature-based solutions.

• Regional/State Action

  • Develop and/or participate in related regional/state level policy assessments including work with state policy makers in the development and implementation of new nature-based solutions and/or IPM policies at both state and federal levels.

  • Develop and/or supports regional/state level implementation initiatives designed to pilot or refine systems-scale nature-based solutions and ecological resilience actions such as regional ecologically focused land management practices, public land research consortia, and monitoring programs to assess land management practices on climate, biodiversity, human wellbeing, economic and social impacts, community ecological health, or other similar initiatives.

• Coordinate Community Engagement

  • Support community engagement and community science opportunities.

  • Develop and maintains partnerships with external groups, such as local Universities, Boulder Valley School District, Boulder County and private landowners. This will include providing community outreach on weed and pest management, protection of biodiversity through nature-based solutions related strategies, toxics reduction and alternative practices that enhance ecosystem and community health and resilience.

  • Serve as the point of contact for residents regarding city IPM and mosquito management/WNv programs. Provides technical advice concerning IPM to city departments, advisory groups, boards, and committees. May provide technical advice to private landowners on weed management to comply with Colorado State Weed Law.

  • Monitor regional, state and federal actions and regulations as needed and advises for updates to community as needed.

  • Participate directly in utilizing the city’s racial equity guidelines and engagement with the city’s Diversity, Equity and Belonging (DEB) teams to insure broad and inclusive engagement internally and externally.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to approach complex challenges with objectivity and creativity. 

• Ability to demonstrate professional experience with progressively increasing responsibility in leadership and program management.

• Ability to demonstrated field experience in some aspect of community ecology and ecosystem assessment and monitoring project development and management.

• Ability to listen and show respect for diverse opinions, build relationships, and productively facilitate controversial or contentious discussions.

• Ability to translate technical subjects for accessible and understandable community communications and policy development is important for this role.

• Skills exhibiting commitment  to working with diverse interests and stakeholders from both public sector and the broader public.

PERFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability demonstrate experience in developing field-based research

• Ability to demonstration experience in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, engagement with BIPOC communities.

• Knowledge demonstrating significant science communication experience as well as regional, state or national level policy experience. 

• Skills exhibiting experience working in establishing multidisciplinary research or shared learning processes designed to address complex natural resource or ecosystem management issues/challenges, especially experience in large-scale land restoration/regeneration projects.

• Ph.D. in ecology, environmental toxicology, epidemiology, natural resource management or related disciplines

• Six (6) or more years in field-related experience in ecosystem management related disciplines.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or higher in relevant field (ecology, biology, environmental sciences, ecosystem planning and land/resource management)

• Three to five (3-5) years of professional experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Professional experience should demonstrate progressively increasing responsibility in leadership and program management. In particular, candidates should have experience in ecosystem assessment and management, project development and management, science communications, and policy development.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Senior Policy Advisor for Climate & Resilience

Supervision Exercised: none

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

• Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials.  Sufficient manual dexterity or alternative means that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment.  Sufficient personal mobility to permit the employee to work in an office setting.  Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard.  Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.

• Work Environment: Works in a hybrid work environment that can span working remotely to working in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

• Machines and Equipment Used include but are not limited to the following: Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, calculators and copy/fax machines, and city vehicles.

Note:  The above description is illustrative only.  It is not meant to be all-inclusive.

Additional Job Description:

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.