The Director of Science serves as the lead scientist for the North Carolina Chapter. In this role, S/he ensures that good science guides and informs the conservation activities of the Chapter and creates the scientific vision for the Chapter through anticipation of challenges, threats, and opportunities that have the potential to affect our work. S/he collaborates on applied conservation science, provides technical support and guidance on conservation planning activities to conservation staff. S/he works on issues related to climate change both in North Carolina and in collaboration with other TNC science practitioners across the country. S/he works closely with partners in public agencies, other environmental organizations and universities to develop research focused on solving real conservation challenges and innovative approaches to dealing with emerging conservation issues.
The Director of Science helps guide the conservation efforts of the Chapter by participating in long-term planning and prioritization of programs and projects as a member of the chapter Conservation Steering Committee. S/he ensures that the chapter complies with the scientific policies and procedures of The Nature Conservancy and oversees the work of planning teams to ensure efficiency, synergy, and effective engagement of external partners. S/he collaborates with scientists and resource managers within and outside of TNC to develop and disseminate sound scientific standards and methodologies and implement adaptive management of TNC projects. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS •Ensure high quality science informs all of the Conservancy’s conservation activities: setting priorities, developing strategies, taking action, and measuring success. •Participate in and provide guidance to the Conservation Steering Committee and advise the Director of Conservation Programs on setting priorities and developing strategies to advance conservation across North Carolina. •Advise the Director of Government Relations on the development of sound, science-based policies and other information needs. •Communicate scientific concepts clearly to scientist and non-scientists alike, especially audiences such as Board, staff, decision-makers, funders and partners. •Work with staff to develop plans for conserving landscape-scale project areas and provide advice and guidance to field staff on issues such as monitoring, adaptive management and ecosystem resilience. Oversee all statewide conservation planning efforts. •Collaborate with agency partners to set and achieve goals consistent with biodiversity conservation objectives identified through ecoregional and other conservation planning. •Collaborate with philanthropy and government relations staff on fundraising efforts to raise public and private funds for conservation objectives by writing grants and proposals. •Cultivate relationships with universities and partner/agency scientists and managers that ensure information exchange, collaborative conservation planning, implementation of adaptive management and that address climate change. •Ensure that Chapter projects receive required scientific review and are in compliance with relevant TNC policies. Design, implement or approve requests for scientific research on NC landscapes. •Coordinate with regional and global science staff and ensure that new initiatives are implementable, practical and appropriate for North Carolina. •Manage and motivate a team of conservation professionals with direct supervision of employees where appropriate. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS •Master’s degree in science-related field and 4 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. •Experience manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data on natural communities or environmental data on ecological communities. •Record of peer-reviewed publications relating to species, natural communities, ecosystems, or ecosystem processes or related topics. •Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals. •Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including managing finances and coordinating the work of other professionals and partners. •Supervisory experience. •Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite Software. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS •Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in the natural, environmental or biological sciences, or a closely related field. Landscape ecology and/or knowledge of freshwater systems are preferred. Demonstrated application of ecological principles to landscape-level conservation issues and experience in completing projects and publishing results is desirable. •At least five years experience preferred in conservation or natural resources management with skill in developing and applying scientific concepts to tangible conservation issues. •Proven ability to apply the scientific method in addressing real-world conservation challenges in conjunction with Chapter conservation goals and priorities. •Understanding of principles and issues related to climate change, ecosystem resilience and freshwater and near-shore marine systems. •Working understanding of conservation science technologies such as: remote sensing, geographic information systems, modeling, and statistical analysis software. •Proven management experience including the ability to create and motivate teams and a commitment to fostering an environment of creativity and professional growth. •Demonstrated project management experience, including the ability to define goals and deliverables, assemble and manage teams, schedule, budget, and track progress; ability to conduct productive meetings. •Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities; flexibility to perform a wide variety of tasks and make decisions with less than complete information. •Strong partnership building skills. Demonstrated ability to gain the trust and cooperation of others, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. •Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, statistical software and familiarity with geographic information systems, and other related software. •Ability to fundraise from public and private sources. •Excellent written and oral communication skills. •Willingness to work evenings and weekends, and travel when necessary. HOW TO APPLY To apply to this position (position number 39669), submit resume and cover letter as one document via TNC’s careers website at https://careers.nature.org/. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 12, 2012.
