Director of Conservation Science, Audubon Alaska

National Audubon Society Position Announcement

Director of Conservation Science, Audubon Alaska

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action.  By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive.  And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level.  What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 23 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 50 states, and 700 staff across the country.  Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary

The Director of Conservation Science works in close collaboration with the Executive Director and as a member of the Audubon Alaska team to provide leadership on science and conservation issues pertaining to public lands and waters in Alaska. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Conservation Science will play a crucial role in developing priorities, executing strategies, maintaining relationships with diverse partners and funders, contributing to funding proposals and general communications, and ensuring alignment with Audubon’s mission and strategic plan.

Candidates should also include a cover letter when applying to this position.

Essential Functions

• Provide leadership on science and conservation issues pertaining to Alaska, including in the Tongass National Forest, Arctic (terrestrial and marine), and Important Bird Areas across the state;
• Facilitate the use of science in structuring Audubon’s policy actions around conservation in Alaska;
• Manage other science and GIS staff, including interns and contractors as needed;
• Collect, review, analyze, and summarize biological data, conservation policies, land management plans, NEPA documents, etc.;
• Identify emerging conservation issues, priority landscapes, and at risk habitats of Alaskan fish and wildlife populations and design strategies to address these issues;
• Collaborate with Audubon staff and other colleagues in the preparation of scientific publications;
• Conduct statistical analysis and spatial modeling to guide conservation planning in priority areas;
• Participate in fundraising and budget development and review;
• Represent Audubon at meetings of scientists including committees/groups (e.g. the Western Arctic Caribou Working Group), agency officials, conservation NGOs, and at public functions related to Audubon conservation science and policy initiatives;
• Help communicate science and conservation issues to the general public, decision-makers, funders, or news media through presentations, testimony to governmental bodies, interviews, or by leading field trips; and
• Maintain collaborative working relationships internally within Audubon primarily in Alaska, Washington, DC, the Pacific Flyway, and throughout the National Audubon Society and externally with representatives of other conservation organizations and staff in federal and state resource agencies and universities in Alaska.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or closely related field required; Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) strongly preferred.
• 7 - 10 years of experience in natural resources management, biology, or related environmental or conservation work, with at least 5 years of management experience leading professional teams and/or programs.
• Must be well-versed in conservation, biology, and identification of local and regional birds and other wildlife.
• Advanced statistical experience, particularly in spatial analyses.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the people, values, and current conservation and policy issues throughout Alaska. Demonstrated understanding of conservation issues in Alaska a must.
• Supervision experience, excellent leadership and collaborative ethics, as demonstrated in previous work. Must possess strong interpersonal and social skills, a positive attitude and collaborative team approach.
• Proven fundraising experience to include writing and implementing grant deliverables, cultivating and managing relationships with foundations and other public agencies.
• Must be self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured environment.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and ArcGIS, knowledge of R or other statistical technologies ideal.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and out-of-state and be comfortable with working evenings and weekends as job demands.
• Valid driver's license is necessary.
• Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions and on varying terrain, with or without accommodation; must be able to carry field equipment at times, with or without accommodation.

To Apply

Interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter directly online at https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/3655/director-of-conservation-science%2c-audubon-alaska/job