Job Description

Research Assistant

Department: Working Lands Conservation

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Working Lands Conservation - Logan, UT

Compensation: $25.50 / hour

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Working Lands Conservation is a small, research-based non-profit located in Logan, UT. Our goal is to bring science to collaborative partnerships working to improve land management, while supporting communities and livelihoods. Through our work, we facilitate the creation of a resilient future for the communities that work, recreate, and value working lands of the western U.S.

We are a team of field ecologists and communicators. We draw on our extensive experience designing ecological studies, collecting data, and analyzing information to understand how land management contributes to landscape health and stakeholder stewardship objectives. As importantly, we realize that trust, learning, and change happen when science is shared in conversation and as stories. We thus spend as much time building relationships as we do collecting data.

We are a partner-oriented organization. We strongly believe that partnerships of diverse stakeholders lead to innovative management ideas, and that producers are the foundational stewards of working landscapes. We work closely with producers, state agencies, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and university researchers to fulfill our mission, share ideas, and inspire innovative management.


We’re excited to welcome a Research Assistant to participate in all aspects of our current research and applied projects. This includes working with WLC’s Lead Scientist, Lead Soil Scientist, and Field Work Manager on field-work, laboratory work, and office tasks. We expect the Research Assistant to bring knowledge and experience from past work roles to the job (e.g. could be a mix of: GIS, remote sensing, field-work experience, lab, social media). We also expect the person that fills this position will gain a wide variety of professional experiences and skills.

Primary Responsibilities

Basic Scientific Roles:

• Work under supervision of WLC staff scientists to accomplish seasonal field work focused on plants, water, soils, and wildlife in rangeland uplands and riparian areas;
• Use GIS / remote sensing skills to make maps, and undertake landscape scoping for various projects;
• Write project reports and present research;
• Travel for fieldwork.

Office Roles:

• Work under the supervision of WLC’s Scientists to complete work that contributes to office operations and research goals;
• Use QGIS mapping skills for various research projects;
• Conduct literature reviews for ongoing projects;
• Contribute to reports for partners;
• Create outreach materials stemming from WLCs research projects for partners;
• Contribute to WLCs instagram, facebook, and website;
• Maintain office supplies.

Field Research Roles:

• Work under the supervision of WLC’s Scientists to conduct field work on WLC’s portfolio of field-based research projects;
• Travel as needed for field data collection to sites in Utah, New Mexico, or other locations. This includes overnight travel. Travel schedule is expected to be 50 - 60% during field season;
• Execute the collection of field data under supervision of the WLC Scientists. This may include collecting data on rangeland vegetation, soils, and water;
• Assist the Field Work Manager in cleaning and curating data;
• Assist the Field Work Manager in organizing field logistics including
  lodging, truck maintenance, and gear maintenance.

Laboratory Roles:

• Work under the supervision of WLC’s Lead Soil Scientist to conduct soil analysis in the WLC Ecosystem Services Laboratory in Logan;
• Work within a laboratory safely abiding by all protocols regarding the use of personal protective equipment and the handling of hazardous materials;
• Keep detailed laboratory notes, neat and orderly laboratory data
  sheets, and up-to-date inventories;
• Run and maintain laboratory instruments after receiving instruction;
• Keep the laboratory clean and organized on a daily basis.

General Roles:

• Collaboratively work with the WLC team to further WLC’s mission;
• Dedicate time to professional development of organizational and management skills;
• Contribute to a healthy and inclusive culture at WLC.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a scientist at any point in your career who loves field-based research and has experience working as a technician on research projects. You are interested in western rangeland ecosystems and value diverse points of view regarding their management. You believe that coupling relationship-building with smart ecological data collection is the magic sauce that can inspire innovative stewardship of Western landscapes.

You are looking for a position where you can use your gained experience as a field ecologist, while also learning new skills. During field season (May – October) you expect to spend a majority of time in the field collecting data. You are equally at ease in the office curating and cleaning data, processing samples in the laboratory, and making maps using GIS. You are detail oriented and organized, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and take each to completion.
You are excited about joining a small, dynamic team of scientists and communicators who are mission-driven and outcome-focused. You believe that blending academic-grade experimental design with kitchen-table relationship building roots projects in community, and leads to adaptive management with lasting impacts. You know that to thrive in a small non-profit requires nimbleness. You are flexible, are not deterred when plans change, and can draw on your problem-solving skills to move projects forward. You have superb interpersonal and communication skills through which to share your excitement with all those you work with.

You are dedicated to contributing and fostering a workplace centered on teamwork, a commitment to excellence, and mutual respect. The ideal candidate will be a person of integrity, humor, enthusiasm, and optimism.

Specific Experience Requested:
We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position, lending their flair to the trajectory of the Research Assistant role. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives in our applicant pool, and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:

• Experience as a research technician focused on ecology, conservation ecology, restoration ecology, rangeland ecology, or other related science-based field;
• Field work experience with exposure to a range of field-based protocols;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Experience undertaking GIS mapping;
• Experience living / working in a remote location;
• Ability to (happily) spend long days in extreme conditions including cold, hot, and buggy environments;
• Ability to work safely in remote field locations;
• Ability to carry 20 pounds over uneven terrain;
• Valid driver’s license.

Workplace and Compensation

Workplace: Working Lands Conservation has a dedicated office and laboratory in Logan, UT, which serves as a hub for team members. All team members have dedicated workspace in the office. This position requires overnight travel to undertake field research in Utah, New Mexico, Montana, and Colorado (up to 60% time from May - October).

Compensation: This position is Fixed Term (May 1 – October 31), full-time, hourly ($25.50/hour). There is potential to extend this appointment pending additional funding. Multiplier provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary, excellent medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, and generous vacation and sick leave policy.

Application: To apply, please visit our Applicant Portal. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received on or before Sunday, March 29, 2026 Please include a cover letter in your application materials describing your relevant experience and qualifications. We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.

Multiplier and WLC are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible application process for all candidates. We recognize that the traditional hiring process can create barriers. If we can support your participation in the job application or interview process by providing specific assistance or accommodation, please reach out to accommodations@multiplier.org. Requests for accommodations are confidential and will not impact your candidacy.

Working Lands Conservation is an independent operating project of the nonprofit umbrella organization, Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a growing portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world (www.multiplier.org).