How to hire an aquatic ecologist

How to hire an aquatic ecologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aquatic ecologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aquatic ecologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aquatic ecologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an aquatic ecologist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect aquatic ecologist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents aquatic ecologist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Aquatic Ecologist	Description	Hourly rate
   Aquatic Ecologist	Zoologists and wildlife biologists study animals and other wildlife and how they interact with their ecosystems. They study the physical characteristics of animals, animal behaviors, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats... Show more	$16-37
   Fish And Wildlife Biologist	A fish and wildlife biologist is an expert when it comes to wildlife and aquatic life. As a biologist, it is their duty to conduct studies and help in improving its conditions by recommending and enforcing policies... Show more	$16-38
   Fisheries Biologist	A fisheries biologist is a scientist who studies fishes and their respective habitats. Fisheries biologists gather data on fish and track their number in a certain body of water... Show more	$14-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Technical Reports
   • Aquatic Ecology
   • Species ACT
   • Climate
   • Data Management
   • Statistical Analysis
   • Conservation Projects
   • Fisheries
   • Data Entry
   • Data Analysis
   • Data Collection

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage multidisciplinary, interagency research teams.
   • Provide consultation to the public regarding fisheries and aquatic resource management.
   • Sample Comal river macro-invertebrates in the laboratory.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aquatic ecologist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An aquatic ecologist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, aquatic ecologists' average salary in arkansas is 48% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aquatic ecologists earn 56% less than senior-level aquatic ecologists.
   • Certifications. An aquatic ecologist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an aquatic ecologist's salary.

   Average aquatic ecologist salary

   $51,707yearly

   $24.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aquatic ecologist salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an aquatic ecologist job description

   An aquatic ecologist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an aquatic ecologist job description:

   Aquatic ecologist job description example

   The person in this position will work with a diverse team of engineers and scientists, completing water resources and related technical assignments. Work may include field monitoring/sampling of water quality parameters; hydrologic and water quality analyses related to stormwater, stream, pond, wetland, lake, and reservoir management; aquatic ecology and aquatic plant management; water quality analysis in urban and/or rural settings; preparation of TMDLs, WRAPs, and other technical reports; presenting at public forums, client meetings, and conferences; developing and maintaining client relationships; and working with permitting agencies and public officials. Responsibilities may also include working with project teams involved in hydrologic/water quality modeling, stormwater management, watershed planning, natural resources management, and GIS work. Work may involve short-term, out-of-town assignments either in the field or in another office.
   Minimum Qualifications:
   
   * Bachelor's degree in aquatic ecology, limnology, biology, water resources science, environmental science, or related field
   
   * At least three years of relevant professional experience
   
   * Demonstrated interest or emphasis in lake and stream management, water quality, fisheries, and/or aquatic ecology
   
   * Ability to conduct water quality field monitoring and experience with techniques such as water sampling, automated sampling, sediment coring, macroinvertebrate sampling, electrofishing, wild rice surveys, or related techniques.
   
   * Familiarity with water resources topics such as lake management (aquatic plants, algae, nutrient cycling, and other aspects of lake ecology), aquatic invasive species management, fisheries management, and hydrology
   
   * Familiarity with water quality analysis which may include water quality models, analysis methods, etc.
   
   * Familiarity with local and state regulatory requirements, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing
   
   * Flexible working style and willingness to occasionally modify personal schedule as required to meet deadlines and/or client needs
   
   * Ability to coordinate complex monitoring schedules, staff, and workload
   
   * Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
   
   * Legal authorization to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship
   
   * Acceptable driving record
   
   Preferred Qualifications:
   
   * Master's degree or PhD in aquatic ecology, limnology, biology, water resources science, environmental science, or related field
   
   * At least five years of relevant professional experience
   
   * Work experience in consulting
   
   * Demonstrated project organization and management skills
   
   * Working knowledge of GIS software
   
   * Familiarity with statistical analysis software such as R or other programming languages
   
   * Familiarity with relevant water quality laboratory procedures such as algae/cyanobacteria identification, phosphorus fractionation, or other related procedures
   
   * Advanced knowledge of water monitoring, modeling, water chemistry, aquatic plant identification and management, fisheries identification and management, and invasive species control
   
   * Experience with hydrologic modeling, water quality modeling, and water balance software programs
   
   * Strong technical skills in a broad range of water quality topics
   
   A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position is based out of Barr's Minneapolis, Minnesota, office.
   
   NOTE: Work will require working outdoors and on waterbodies, operating small motorboats, and the potential for working in remote outdoor locations. Safety training will be provided. Applicants may be asked to participate in a drug screening program at the request of specific clients.
   
   #LI-Hybrid

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right aquatic ecologist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aquatic ecologist job on Zippia to find and recruit aquatic ecologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting aquatic ecologists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aquatic ecologist

   Once you've decided on a perfect aquatic ecologist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new aquatic ecologist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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