Organization: The Nature Conservancy Position: Water Resource Scientist (full-time) Location: Boston, Massachusetts http://www.nature.org/about-us/careers/index.htm Search posting 44330 and click “Apply”
POSITION SUMMARY The Water Resource Scientist provides technical and scientific support for aquatic conservation and restoration strategies across the spectrum of land use, from wild to urban, in Massachusetts and regionally. The Scientist will implement projects that provide multiple benefits to nature and people, including community involvement and developing measures of success relevant to ecosystem health and human well-being. This position will include working to maintain the natural structure and function of watersheds and estuaries; helping communities adapt to climate change and improve resiliency using nature-based solutions; and protecting or improving water quality from effects of nonpoint source pollution. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The Water Resource Scientist will work with local community members, governments, engineering firms, and others to design and test the effectiveness of nature-based approaches for protecting freshwater and coastal resources, greening cities, reducing flooding and erosion, and improving water quality and quantity. This position reports to the Conservation Director for Rivers, Coasts and Oceans and works with program staff to integrate aquatic priorities into project goals and multi-year protection, restoration, and public policy strategies at multiple scales. The Water Resource Scientist will apply his/her experience and training in aquatic ecosystems to represent the Conservancy as a leader on multi- disciplinary/multi-partner project teams. The Water Resource Scientist may work with program directors throughout the Conservancy, particularly on regional working teams developing both freshwater and integrated freshwater/terrestrial/marine initiatives, as well as updating Whole System plans. S/he will collaborate with and lead a variety of public and private individuals, agencies, organizations and communities to implement strategies, share information and advance the Conservancy’s mission. Prepares grant applications, performs fieldwork, including ecosystem assessment and monitoring, manages projects, and communicates results to a variety of audiences. RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE - Manage projects such as green infrastructure projects, river restoration, and dam removal, develop and implement monitoring plans, and communicate results - Work with Conservation Science team and other TNC staff to integrate information from existing data sets, GIS data sets, technical literature, and field assessments to assess threats to and, identify, implement, monitor and measure strategies for aquatic systems and species. - Lead and collaborate with a variety of public and private individuals, agencies, organizations and communities to implement strategies; enable and support municipalities and others to plan and implement conservation strategies. - Initiate and coordinate survey and research work, including the management of contracts with academic institutions and other researchers, to answer key ecological and social/economic questions, e.g., cost benefit analyses - Represent TNC at public meetings and on committees where technical input is required. Review public agency management plans and prepare public comments related to regulatory review of projects that affect TNC priority areas. - Inform policy/government relations and sustainable finance strategies to facilitate implementation of nature-based solutions at large scales. - Write grant proposals for support from government granting agencies and private foundations. May manage several grants, contracts or requests for proposal. Track budgets for all projects. - Lead and/or participate on regional and global teams related to aquatic conservation - Attend and present at TNC and external science meetings/workshops, as appropriate, to gain and disseminate knowledge and data that will direct the Chapter's conservation efforts and assist colleagues and partners. - May lead staff, interns or volunteers on a project basis. - May require frequent travel and evening and weekend hours. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Graduate Degree in water science related field and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. - Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing and interpreting scientific data. - Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people. - Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite Software. - Experience communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English. - Experience coordinating multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines and managing timeframes. - Valid US driver’s license. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Specialization in the ecology of freshwater and/or coastal ecosystems, including urban settings, particularly desired. - Experience in engineering and/or planning coastline and river protection projects, ecological restoration, or storm water and water management projects. - Knowledge of current trends in research in urban ecosystems and on recent practices in the conservation of lands and waters within cities is a plus. - Experience working across race, socio-economic class and language differences. - Multi-lingual skills appreciated. - Experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc.) - Experience in collaborating with scientists and other conservation practitioners to complete assessments and develop focused conservation priorities - Peer-reviewed publication record and/or reports and presentations related to hydrology, water resource engineering, water management, freshwater biodiversity or related topics - Experience successfully leading teams linked by common purpose rather than by lines of authority or supervisory structure to accomplish results. - Excellent writing and presentation skills - Willingness to learn and develop expertise in new conservation strategies, economic drivers, management tools, and global affairs - May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. HOW TO APPLY To apply to position number 44330, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 5, 2016. Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyh...@tnc.org. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
