Open Positions

Ecologist | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Ecologist position located in or near Clarksville, Tennessee. 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 documenting, classifying and mapping examples of known grassland habitats of various types for a variety of projects across the SGI focal region. The Ecologist will focus on habitats as a whole for each grassland project site, and work with a team consisting of a Biologist and Field Technician. The Ecologist 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 here: Ecologist

Native Seed Program Field Technician | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Initiative (SGI) invites applications for a temporary, part-time Native Seed Processing Technician. This position will work under the Native Seed Program Manager and Director to process collections of wild- collected native seed as part of SGI’s partnership with the national Seeds of Success program. This temporary position will run from October 2025 until April 2026, and falls within the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, part of the Center of Excellence for Field Biology. The successful candidate’s primary role will be to clean, weigh, store, and inventory all native seed collections conducted by SGI. This position will report to the SGI Seed Program Manager and SGI Seed Program Director. Technicians will need to work on-site, at SGI’s office on Austin Peay State University campus in Clarksville, TN. Due to the noisy nature of seed cleaning, technicians will work an afternoon and evening shift. This is a part-time, seasonal, nontenure- track position for 29 hours/week for $20/hour for 26 weeks (6 months), paid bi-weekly. The position is expected to be filled from late October 2025 to April 2026, for a total of 26 weeks.

Find more here: Seed Processing Technician

Ecologist | Little Rock, AR

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Ecologist position located in or near Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a USDA-FSA grant-funded position with three years of funding available and future funding opportunities possible. This position will be responsible for documenting, classifying and mapping examples of known grassland habitats of various types for a variety of projects across the SGI focal region. The Ecologist will focus on habitats as a whole for each grassland project site, and work with a team consisting of a Biologist and Field Technician. The Ecologist 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 Chief Conservation Officer.

Find more here: Ecologist

Chief Strategy Officer | Clarksville, TN Headquarters, or remote in the following states: AL, AR, FL, KY, LA, NC, OK

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track position as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CSO leads the design, execution, and evaluation of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the organization’s long-term goals and conservation outcomes. This role requires a visionary strategist and connector, a great listener, a strong communicator, and an experienced program leader capable of translating conservation science and policy into scalable action within the growing network of SGI’s senior leadership team and its nationwide network of partners and funders. This position may be located at SGI headquarters in Clarksville, TN, or remotely in the following states: AL, AR, FL, KY, LA, NC, OK, TX.

Find more here: Chief Strategy Officer

Senior Administrative Assistant | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a full-time Senior Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and project support for our Director of Stewardship and restoration team as we embark on a large project funded by the National Park Service. This position will report directly to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

Find more here: Senior Administrative Assistant

Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re looking for two full-time Restoration Technicians to join us on the front lines of this work. As a technician, you’ll be part of a dedicated restoration team working across both public and private lands to rebuild native ecosystems from the ground up. You’ll get your boots dirty restoring remnant grasslands, applying prescribed fire, collecting seeds, removing invasive species, and helping launch one of the largest grassland recovery efforts in the eastern U.S.

Find more here: Restoration Technician

Lead Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re looking for one full-time Lead Restoration Technician to join us on the front lines of this work. As a lead technician, you’ll be part of a dedicated restoration team working across both public and private lands to rebuild native ecosystems from the ground up. You’ll get your boots dirty restoring remnant grasslands, applying prescribed fire, collecting seeds, removing invasive species, and helping launch one of the largest grassland recovery efforts in the eastern U.S.

Find more information here: Lead Restoration Technician

Director of Community Engagement | Clarksville, TN

With support from NFWFs America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is leading a major regional initiative, “Last Chance Grasslands,” to stabilize and restore 2,500 acres of native grasslands in Central Tennessee. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for conservation, and we’re seeking a Director of Community Engagement to join us on the front lines of this work. As Director of Community Engagement, you’ll play a critical role in connecting SGI’s restoration work with the communities and building a lasting and impactful volunteer program geared towards empowering volunteers to take ownership of the restoration and management of our grasslands. Your leadership will help amplify the impact of our “Last Chance Grasslands” initiative and engage hundreds of volunteers and partners in one of the most ambitious restoration efforts in the region. Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree preferably in Biology, Ecology, Botany, Wildlife, or Conservation Biology; a minimum of three (3) years of experience leading volunteer or community programs; experience in recruiting volunteers, coordinating, and executing volunteer events successfully; experience using volunteer management software (e.g., Volunteer Hub software) and the Microsoft Office Suite; demonstrate skill in writing for the general public.

Find more information here: Director of Community Engagement

Restoration Technician | Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for one seasonal Restoration Technician position to restore native grassland ecosystems throughout Middle Tennessee (37.5 hours/week at $20/hour for 6 months). This hands-on, field-based role involves invasive species control, seed collection, prescribed fire implementation, and other restoration activities under the oversight and training of the restoration team. SGI is especially seeking candidates with knowledge of, or strong connections to, Indigenous communities. A key part of this role is helping to reintroduce Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous land stewardship practices into our restoration work. The position will be located in Clarksville, TN (45 miles from Nashville, TN). The Restoration Technician will receive daily direction from a Lead Restoration Technician, working as an integral part of the restoration program.

Find more information here: Restoration Technician