The Island Scientist will provide technical and scientific leadership and support for conservation projects of The Nature Conservancy on Santa Cruz Island and in partnership with managers of the other islands of the Californias (the Pacific Islands of the states of California and Baja California [Mexico]), with a focus on the terrestrial biota. The Island Scientist will lead and support conservation planning, applied research projects, and implementation of conservation management strategies on Santa Cruz Island and across the Islands of the Californias archipelago.
The Island Scientist will identify conservation challenges, knowledge gaps, and research needs in terrestrial ecology and facilitate research that utilizes TNC’s place-based work. They will ensure that the Conservancy’s decision-support tools and conceptual models are built on strong scientific foundations. The Island Scientist is a member of multidisciplinary teams focused on developing cutting-edge conservation strategies and builds and leverages a network of external scientific collaborators in academia, government, for-profit and non-profit sectors to deliver the science needed to advance the Conservancy’s conservation strategies. The Island Scientist strategically and effectively communicates – through publication and oral presentation –science to inform conservation in islands and island habitats in California and to export select, high priority conservation strategies and practices to islands elsewhere.
We’re Looking for You:
If you’re looking for a career where you can find purpose, come join our California unit as the Island Scientist. Not only will you fulfill conservation objectives in the beautiful state of California, but you’ll also contribute to conservation goals through many networks! We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead cross-functional teams and support our chapters and work within our division. Communication and experience interpreting scientific information are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!
What You’ll Bring:
- Master's Degree in science related field and 2 years of experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Research experience, including fieldwork, in California’s terrestrial ecosystems
- Partnership engagement experience
- Experience leading and working with cross functional teams.
- Project management, organization, and collaboration skills.
- Experience synthesizing, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating scientific information.
- Experience managing multiple complex projects, including financial budgets, and coordinating the work of peers and partners.
- Experience preparing reports of findings.
- Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
- Experience with common software applications.
- Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
Desired Qualifications:
- PhD and 1-3 years of experience
- Strong interpersonal skills, including experience fostering an inclusive environment
- Strong negotiation skills, including experience working in polarized stakeholder environments
- Experience in custom analytical tool development, climate science, scenario planning
- Experience in climate resilience and adaptation planning
- Familiarity with how to use science to inform policy, environmental regulation, permitting, adaptation and mitigation
- Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Proven negotiation skills, including experience working in polarized stakeholder environments.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
Salary Information:
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $82,700 - $97,275. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA, state of employment is California, and county of employment is Ventura or Santa Barbara. A successful candidate’s pay will be based on a variety of factors, including location, qualifications, skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.