Endangered Species Conservation Biologist – Fireflies

JOB TITLE: Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Fireflies

LOCATION: Remote position: Central U.S. Preferred: IA IL or MO. Will consider AR IN KS KY MI MN ND NE OH OK SD WI. Candidates must have a personal office location suitable for work purposes with broadband internet access and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their assigned work location.

COMPENSATION: $2749.93 per pay period $65998.32 per year; starting commensurate with qualifications.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time salaried exempt position scheduled to work 40 hours/week.

JOB START DATE: April 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 5 2026

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the worlds most important animals. We are seeking a skilled and collaborative conservation biologist who can help us grow our firefly conservation initiative across the central U.S. and Canada.

At Xerces we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects protecting endangered species and their habitat and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms forests prairies deserts streams wetlands towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning education scientific analysis advocacy and applied research to conserve invertebrates such as bees butterflies mollusks and fireflies.

WHAT YOULL BE DOING:

This new position reports to the Xerces Society Senior Conservation BiologistFirefly Lead (Portland OR office) and works closely with the Conservation BiologistFirefly Atlas Coordinator (Amherst MA office) other Xerces conservation staff and project partners. The role focuses on expanding firefly conservation initiatives and Firefly Atlas engagement across the central U.S. and

Canada.

The Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will support Xerces firefly conservation initiative by engaging land managers biologists researchers and community scientists; increasing awareness of firefly conservation issues; and helping develop evidence-based management guidance. Key responsibilities include coordinating with partners and land managers recruiting and training Firefly Atlas participants conducting firefly surveys assisting with species identification and providing technical expertise and support to staff partners and the public. The position will also use Firefly Atlas data in addition to the other data sources and the scientific literature to inform best management practices species assessments and conservation recommendations for imperiled and data-deficient firefly species nationwide.

The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific background excellent outreach and presentation skills and experience with project management field-based surveys management guidance and conservation planning. Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to build lasting partnerships with diverse stakeholders. This position is home-based in the central U.S.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with other Xerces Society Endangered Species staff the person who fills this position will:

• Conduct targeted outreach to firefly researchers land managers and agency biologists and community scientists to build partnerships and expand Firefly Atlas participation.
• Develop and deliver trainings (in-person and virtually) on firefly conservation survey methods and species identification.
• Conduct surveys for threatened and data-deficient firefly species using Firefly Atlas survey protocols which includes habitat assessments and species documentation through photos and detailed flash pattern observations.
• Maintain a safety mindset and manage risks when conducting fieldwork leading field events and advising community scientists.
• Assist with review and species verification of Firefly Atlas observations particularly for the central U.S. and Canada.
• Assist with Firefly Atlas data curation mapping and sharing.
• Analyze and visualize Firefly Atlas and related data to identify spatial and temporal patterns habitat associations and conservation priorities and communicate results to partners staff and the public.
• Engage participants and the public through appropriate communication channels (e.g. website virtual presentations email social and traditional media).
• During the firefly field season (adult surveys MayAugust larval surveys spring and fall) spend 15-50% of time on fieldwork in-person trainings and field nights with frequent multi-day travel (up to 10 overnights per month during this time).
• Assist with testing and refining long-term monitoring protocols.
• Develop and disseminate evidence-based species-specific resources and management guidance for public and private land managers.
• Coordinate with state wildlife agencies and participate in federal state and local processes affecting imperiled fireflies.
• Support and promote the establishment of firefly sanctuaries.
• Respond to technical and informational requests from staff agencies researchers and the public.
• Maintain regular communication with a remote supervisor and team and contribute to other endangered species conservation projects as needed.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Strong expertise in invertebrate conservation;
• Extensive field experience conducting species surveys ideally with fireflies other invertebrates birds and/or nocturnal wildlife;
• Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships with researchers land managers community scientists master naturalist and extension programs and other stakeholders;
• Proven ability to develop manage and query databases;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including technical and popular writing public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences;
• Ability to synthesize and clearly communicate complex scientific information to community scientists conservation partners policymakers the public and the media;
• Strong organizational time-management and project-management skills; ability to manage multiple complex projects and deliver high-quality work on schedule;
• Highly collaborative dependable self-motivated and able to work independently with a strong conservation ethic;
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Word Excel PowerPoint);
• Interest and experience in outreach and professional networking.

PREFERRED

• Experience with firefly conservation including survey methods and species identification particularly in the central and eastern U.S.;
• Knowledge of key U.S. land managers and firefly researchers with the ability to build partnerships to advance conservation goals;
• Proficiency with ArcGIS for basic mapping and spatial data analysis;
• Experience with website design editing and maintenance (WordPress);
• Working knowledge of Canva and Constant Contact;
• Experience creating charts graphs and other graphics to help visualize and communicate data effectively;
• Experience using statistical methods to advise on monitoring protocols and analyze species occurrence and abundance data such as occupancy modeling species distribution modeling and population monitoring;
• Basic understanding of the uses and challenges of DNA barcoding particularly as it relates to species identification cryptic species detection and cataloging of rare or imperiled species;
• Basic understanding of imperiled species issues including general familiarity with state and federal Endangered Species Acts state wildlife action plans Species of Greatest Conservation Need and other conservation status ranking assessments such as NatureServe and the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List;
• Background knowledge about threats and mitigation strategies relevant to fireflies especially in terms of artificial light at night (ALAN) and pesticide use;
• Plant identification skills and knowledge as well as familiarity with habitat and natural community classifications in the central U.S.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Graduate degree in ecology conservation biology entomology wildlife biology natural resource management or other relevant field; or bachelors degree in one of these fields of study plus at least 2 years of experience working in wildlife conservation community science or conservation.
• Valid drivers license in the United States and a points-based motor vehicle records check prior to employment allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance.
• Essential functions of this position require the employee to drive a vehicle and an offer of employment will be contingent on this record check.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.
• Ability to travel overnight when necessary for meetings or fieldwork sometimes up to a week at a time.
• Ability to work unusual hours including nighttime hours during the firefly field season which is roughly from May-August depending on location.

PREFERRED

• Bilingual or multilingual (conversational Spanish or French)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a telephone copy machine and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Able to move and transport supplies materials and equipment weighing up to 20 lbs.;
• Occasionally to frequently drive vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours;
• Occasionally to frequently work outdoors in the field for up to 8-10 hours per day often in sparsely populated remote locations and under potentially adverse or difficult conditions such as high heat and humidity storms darkness biting and stinging insects other nocturnal wildlife or abrasive or poisonous vegetation among others;
• Occasionally to frequently traverse across unpaved roads walkways unimproved trails and other rugged terrain such as fields and prairies wetlands riparian areas and woodlands for periods of up to 8 hours or more often in darkness with minimal use of light carrying up to 25 pounds of material or equipment.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays paid time off (PTO) accrued starting at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule) 16 hours of PTO at new hire date medical dental vision and prescription drug coverage the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses short-term disability insurance where not superseded by state law long-term disability insurance life insurance participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements and a flexible work environment.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs please see our website:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any compliance with federal law all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MUTUAL ARBITRATION: Xerces policies require that employees accept a binding mutual arbitration agreement and process for dispute resolution as an alternative to a jury/trial process. Acceptance of the agreement is a condition of employment and candidates are offered a position with a minimum of 72 hours to consider.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin or disability.