Climate Adaptation Ecologist Position Summary (General Description):
The Wilderness Society seeks an experienced ecologist to lead research and formation of strategies for wildland climate adaptation. Since its founding, The Wilderness Society has brought scientific insight to the work of protecting wildlands from inappropriate development and has played a leading role in building a National Wilderness Preservation System that now stands at over 109 million acres. That legacy is now threatened by climate change. In response, The Wilderness Society has established a Climate Change program with a goal of sustaining the benefits of wildlands in the face of climate change. The Wilderness Society's work is organized around landscapes, several of which in the West have been the focus of efforts to understand and address climate change adaptation needs. The Climate Ecologist's role will be to synthesize adapt and build on lessons learned from these and other efforts, design and conduct research in support of adaptation strategies for Eastern landscapes, and lead overall efforts to build models for bioregional conservation in a warmer and more volatile climate. This is an exceptional opportunity for a conservation scientist interested in applying his or her scientific expertise to real world land management challenges and working in the nexus between science and public policy. The ideal candidate has substantial scientific experience post graduate school, experience with land conservation issues and policies, expertise in conservation biology and planning, intimate familiarity with eastern forest ecosystems, outstanding communication skills, and a proven ability to translate ecological information into public policy and land management recommendations. This is a senior or advanced level science position within The Wilderness Society and the work environment and compensation are comparable to university, governmental and other NGO science programs. Primary Duties and Responsibilities: * Work closely with the Climate Change and Stewardship and Restoration program staff , and landscape leads ,to develop and integrate a science-based strategy for climate change adaptation, with a particular initial focus on eastern landscapes. * Design and develop scientific analyses that bring ecological information, including results from spatial analyses, to bear on land management and protection plans for priority areas in the East; * Help develop national-level policy recommendations based on sound science and assist regional/field staff in applying insights to select public land management plans, policies, and environmental impact statements and other processes with adaptation implications; * Communicate research, analytical findings, and policy recommendations to government agencies, elected officials, conservation partners, the media, and other audiences; * Short-duration travel to attend meetings, give presentations, and visit the field is required. Qualifications: * PhD or MS and significant post-graduate experience in wildlife biology, conservation biology, ecology or landscape ecology or related field is required; * Passion for and commitment to wildland conservation; * Familiarity with forest ecosystems of eastern North America; * Knowledge of ecological implications of climate change and how these relate to natural resource management and federal public land policy; * Demonstrated ability to work independently, think creatively, and write convincingly; * Working knowledge GIS for use in ecological analyses; * Understanding of public land management law (such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act) and policy is very helpful; * Experience working with the media, elected officials, and the public is helpful; * Exceptional communication skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex ecological information into terms that can be understood by a non-scientific audience; * Ability to think strategically and participate in the development of conservation advocacy initiatives and materials; and * Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and with diverse groups in and outside the conservation community. This position is available immediately. The location is to be determined depending on the best match between employee and program needs. Application review will begin in January, 2010 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply please send a single email with the following four attachments to research_j...@tws.org<mailto:research_j...@tws.org> (please include "Climate Adaptation Ecologist" in the Subject line): a cover letter explaining your qualifications for, and interest in, this position; resume or curriculum vita; writing sample; and the name, address, and phone number for three references. The Wilderness Society is an equal opportunity employer and diversity is a core value. The Wilderness Society offers a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance and a retirement savings plan. The mission of The Wilderness Society is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Building and applying scientific understanding of those places and the values they provide to human communities has long been a hallmark of the organization, and that work is led by The Wilderness Society's Research Department. It consists of experts in economics, ecology, law and landscape analysis, including 12 Ph.D.-level scientists. This team develops and deploys a base of knowledge needed to answer pressing questions about wildland stewardship issues such as resource exploration and development, public lands' restoration and management, climate change, and recreation. This information is key to understanding often complicated environmental issues and, ultimately, to making sound choices toward achieving lasting protection for the resources and places that sustain us and our ways of life.
