Open Positions

SGI, affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University, is a young and dynamic organization where we celebrate, support and strive to promote diversity, equality and inclusion, and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Biologist | Little Rock, AR

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Biologist position located in or near Little Rock, AR. This is a USDA-NRCS grant-funded position with three years of funding available with future funding opportunities possible. This position will be responsible for conducting plant and pollinator surveys and habitat mapping across the Southeastern United States with a team consisting of an Ecologist and Field Technician. The Biologist will focus specifically on grassland plants and pollinators for each grassland project site, and work with a team consisting of an Ecologist and Field Technician. The Biologist is expected to spend 30%- 90% (varies seasonally) of their time in the field to conduct project activities. Frequent travel will be required to reach the different project areas with overnight stays and travel expenses being covered through grant funds. Working from home will be possible for a few, specific desk-based tasks. This position will report to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

Find more information here: Biologist (Little Rock, AR)

Restoration Ecologist | Middle TN

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a Restoration Ecologist position. This is a full-time, nontenure-track position. The ILPC’s primary role will be to serve the needs of SGI in developing and managing grassland conservation projects in the Interior Low Plateau region (middle TN, western TN, north-central AL, and central KY). In addition to on-the-ground work in grasslands, and coordination of broader efforts, this position includes a strong component of grant-writing to help secure future funding to support this position and to grow additional programming/staffing needs in the Interior Low Plateau region. The position will be located near Clarksville, TN (greater Nashville, TN area). Frequent travel will be required to reach the different project areas with overnight stays and travel expenses being covered through grant funds. Working from home will be possible for a few, specific desk-based tasks. This position will report to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

Find more information here: Restoration Ecologist

Field Technician | ROanoke, VA | Blacksburg, VA

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for two full-time Field Technician positions to study and restore native grasslands on national parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration, Inventory, and Monitoring team. Field Technicians will be responsible for collecting baseline data from grassland remnants and proposed grassland “reconstruction” sites at a diverse array of national parks across the Eastern U.S., as well as carrying out restoration and land management work, and collecting post-treatment data from all sites. Field Technicians will travel extensively throughout the year, often working alternative work schedules to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. These positions will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. Field Technicians will receive daily direction from a Lead Field Technician and directly report to SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.

Find more information here: Field Technician

Lead Field Technician | ROanoke, VA | Blacksburg, VA

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for two full-time Field Technician positions to study and restore native grasslands on national parks across the Eastern United States as part of our Grasslands Restoration, Inventory, and Monitoring team. Field Technicians will be responsible for collecting baseline data from grassland remnants and proposed grassland “reconstruction” sites at a diverse array of national parks across the Eastern U.S., as well as carrying out restoration and land management work, and collecting post-treatment data from all sites. Field Technicians will travel extensively throughout the year, often working alternative work schedules to reach the different project areas (up to 90% of time will be spent in the field), with overnight stays and travel expenses covered by grant funds. These positions will be remotely based in the Blacksburg and/or Roanoke, Virginia areas. Field Technicians will receive daily direction from a Lead Field Technician and directly report to SGI’s Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator.

Find more information here: Lead Field Technician

Native Seed Program Field Technician | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for two seasonal part-time Native Seed Program Technician positions, funded by an assistance agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The two part-time Technicians will be part of the Native Seed Program team at SGI and will report to the Native Seed Program Director. Specifically, the Technicians will be responsible for scouting plant populations and collecting seeds for the Seeds of Success (SOS) national program, as part of a field crew led by the Native Seed Program Manager. The Technicians will also be expected to assist with indoor activities, primarily native seed cleaning and processing. The Technicians are expected to spend approximately half of their time in the field and the remaining in indoor facilities to perform the other activities. Extensive traveling will be expected to reach plant populations across multiple states, including Alabama and Kentucky with occasional overnight stays. Expenses related to traveling, such as transportation, lodging, and per diem will be covered through the Program’s funding. These are part-time, seasonal, nontenure-track positions for 29 hours/week for $20/hour for 30 weeks (8 months), paid bi- weekly. The positions are expected to be filled from mid-May 2024 to mid-December 2024, for a total of 30 weeks.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter via email to marcello.devitis@segrasslands.org with Native Seed Program Field Technician in the subject line.

Find more information here: Native Seed Program Field Technician