Scientist - Urban Wildlands

Job Title: Staff Scientist

Program: Urban Wildlands

Employment Type: Salary (exempt – this position is not eligible for overtime). Full-time, Regular

Reports to: Urban Wildlands Director

Direct Reports to this position: N/A

Salary Range: $55,000 - $75,000

*Salary will be determined based on experience, and will strictly comply with local and state minimum wage and salary threshold laws.

Location: Remote, California preferred

Bargaining Unit: Yes. *Because this position is in the Bargaining Unit, some fees may be required depending on where the candidate lives as a condition of employment.

The Urban Wildlands program aims to stop development and land use policies that threaten critical wildlife habitat, create pollution, disrupt hydrology and freshwater systems, exhaust limited water supplies, increase wildfire risk, amplify climate change, and drive species extinction. We are seeking an experienced, proactive staff scientist to join our team.

How to Apply

Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample. The position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The desired start date is May 18, 2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

About the Center

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive. We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

Position Summary

By working closely with scientists, lawyers, organizers and media professionals, the staff scientist will be expected to play an active role in influencing and shaping land‑use decision‑making and planning in California and beyond. The staff scientist will work to advance land‑use policies and practices to protect habitats and important wildlife connectivity areas in the urban‑wildland interface that support endangered and sensitive species. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills with an ability to think strategically and creatively. The working environment is fast‑paced, exciting and supportive.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a public expert on wildlife connectivity and water issues, focusing on the threats from unchecked urban sprawl, habitat loss, and climate change.
• Research and draft comment letters, reports, policy documents, factsheets, and educational materials for social media posts based on sound science and principles.
• Support the development, identification, and advancement of strategic policy positions and initiatives that benefit freshwater systems and wildlife connectivity vital to threatened and endangered species survival and climate change adaptability and resilience.
• Give presentations at public hearings for decision‑makers, work with local planning staff and be available for interviews with the media.
• Help build alliances with other environmental and community groups, including environmental justice and frontline communities.
• Work collaboratively with lawyers, scientists, organizers and media professionals to challenge poorly‑planned, destructive developments while advocating for proactive and environmentally‑protective land use policies.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum three years of professional experience or advanced degree in conservation biology, ecology, planning or a related field.
• Scientific literacy and familiarity with scientific literature on specific program issues.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated abilities to write clear, organized, research documents.
• Familiarity with relevant environmental laws and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act and state and federal Endangered Species Act.
• Proven experience working with coalitions and diverse groups of people and organizations.
• Working knowledge of state level policies and trends related to land use and growth, climate change, private land development and endangered species protection preferred.
• Experience with public speaking, community outreach, and engagement with the media.
• Demonstrated abilities to balance multiple tasks and deadlines in a busy working environment.
• Experience working with a conservation organization preferred.
• A strong work ethic and good time‑management skills.
• Ability to complete long‑term projects like listing petitions and comments in a timely manner and produce high quality work products.
• Ability to communicate politely and effectively with individuals from different regions and cultures around the world.
• A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week.

Working Conditions

Occasional travel to conferences and meetings. Requires work in an office setting, with a typical schedule of Monday‑Friday with some night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines. Will need to use typical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, etc.

Physical Requirements

The position requires working in an office setting, occasional travel, the ability to lift up to 75 pounds, and flexibility to work evenings or weekends.

Benefits

For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long‑Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12‑week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI Statement

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Exempt

Applicable Exemption: Professional

Reasoning behind this classification: High degree of discretion and work is predominantly intellectual in nature and varied in character. The output produced can’t be standardized in relation to a given period of time.

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