Field Ecologist / Biologist

About BurnBot
BurnBot provides systematic fuels treatment services to prevent destructive wildfires. We're firefighters, scientists, engineers, prescribed fire practitioners, ecologists, and community members who are answering the call to scale fuel treatment capacity. Our modern fuel treatment system recognizes and supports conservation efforts with a clean, smoke-free process. We need technology to amplify our workforces with targeted use of synthetic fire to treat fuel loads 10x faster than previously possible.

The Role
We’re seeking a Field Ecologist / Biologist with deep expertise in vegetation biology and ecology. A strong background with practical experience in the study of fire and its effects on the ecosystem, including the use of prescribed fire for fuels treatment, is essential. This individual contributor role will lead BurnBot’s applied ecological/biological research on how our controlled burning and mastication systems affect vegetation structure, invasive grass dynamics, and fuel profiles across diverse landscapes.

The ideal candidate is both a scientist and practitioner, someone who designs and conducts field experiments, collects and interprets ecological/biological data, and thrives in rugged outdoor conditions doing field work. They will work closely with our field operations teams, collaborate closely with other members of our Science & Technology team, interact and foster relationships with our university partners in doing field tests and data analysis, and perform laboratory testing as needed. They are equally comfortable analyzing plant community data as they are supervising biological field sampling. They will bring knowledge and experience in ecology and plant biology to our teams and help educate us in these critical scientific areas.

This position is ideal for a hands-on, fast-moving ecologist/biologist passionate about applying science to real-world wildfire solutions.

This role is an exempt role with an annual compensation of $110,000 - $140,000. However, we do consider many factors when creating job offers, including (but not limited to), the role, location, responsibilities, experience, training, education, and skillset.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

Applied Research & Experimentation

• Design and lead and conduct field and laboratory experiments to assess the ecological effects of prescribed burning and mastication, both individually and in combination.
• Develop field protocols to quantify vegetation change, fuel load reduction and invasive species suppression.
• Work closely with our in-house soil scientist to test and understand the impacts on soil health, and the sub-soil ecosystem.
• Measure treatment efficacy across different vegetation communities (grasslands, chaparral, oak woodlands, mixed conifer, sagebrush, etc.).
• Integrate field data into BurnBot’s ecological performance framework to guide operations and system design.

Field Data Collection & Analysis

• Conduct vegetation and soil sampling using standardized ecological survey methods.
• Work with other team members to collect and use data from GPS, GIS, drones, and remote sensing tools to monitor site conditions and treatment outcomes.
• Analyze plant community and soil data using statistical tools.
• Synthesize and present findings to the BurnBot team and external partners.

Collaboration & Outreach

• Collaborate closely with engineers, operators, and partner scientists to align ecological metrics with system performance.
• Build relationships with universities, agencies, and nonprofits for applied research collaborations.
• Represent BurnBot at ecological and prescribed fire conferences, workshops, and field demonstrations.

Communication & Grants

• Author technical reports, field guides, and publications on treatment efficacy and ecological benefits.
• Support and lead grant proposals for applied fire and restoration research.
• Communicate scientific insights in accessible ways to partners, funders, and the public.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Ecology, Fire Science, Forestry, Rangeland Science or a related field.
• 5–10+ years of hands-on, applied field research experience in vegetation biology/ecology with additional experience in prescribed fire and fuels treatment highly valued.
• Background and knowledge of the effects of mastication, burning, and combined treatments on vegetation and soils is highly valued.
• Proficiency with ecological field methods, vegetation surveys, and soil sampling techniques.
• Familiarity with fuels monitoring and fire behavior metrics.
• Strong analytical skills in R/Python or other statistical tools and GIS-based spatial analysis.
• Knowledge of Western U.S. vegetation communities, invasive species, and post-fire succession.
• Comfortable conducting intensive fieldwork in rugged terrain and variable weather.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills in dynamic, multi-site environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to translate ecological data into actionable insights, and to explain basic principles and test results to others clearly.
• Experience collaborating across scientific, technical, and operational teams.
• Self-directed, adaptive, and motivated by the challenge of scaling ecological science for wildfire resilience.
• Physical ability to lift/push/pull weights of up to 60 lbs with regularity.
• Ability to bend, twist, lift, reach, grasp and climb various surfaces and heights for 6+ hours per day.
• Passion for Burnbot’s mission

It would be cool if…

• Experience working in or with wildfire, prescribed fire or other land management organization; including FFT2, FEMO or equivalent certifications.

Still interested? Please apply by sending your resume to careers@burnbot.com or visiting our job postings on Indeed.

Burnbot is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with one or more disabilities, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 415-795-9124 or careers@burnbot.com.