The Science Director for the Conservancy’s Freshwater Program in California provides strategic, technical and scientific leadership and manages a multidisciplinary team to drive the science, scientific products and scientific collaborations needed to inform and inspire ambitious surface water and groundwater conservation initiatives both in and beyond California. The Nature Conservancy’s California Water Program focuses on achieving resilient and healthy rivers, thriving wetlands and sustainable groundwater-dependent ecosystems by transforming California into a hub of innovation and leadership in conservation. Our team of scientists, technologists and conservation practitioners utilizes place-based demonstration, policy and science to drive California to a sustainable water future.

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

The Science Director for the California Water Program in TNC’s California Chapter provides science-based leadership to the Conservancy’s teams and initiatives to increase the pace and scale of biodiversity conservation in and beyond California. They work with multidisciplinary teams to identify priorities and strategies for conservation engagement, and to ensure the delivery of the science needed to execute those strategies. They lead and manage a team of scientists to ensure that the Conservancy’s limited science capacity is focused on the most essential issues and at the most strategic level of engagement on those issues. They are a key partner with their counterpart in the Conservation Programs department, the Water Program Director, working to align and integrate the Conservancy’s science, policy, and place-based conservation work, including by collaborating on budgeting, annual planning and developing the team’s culture. They coordinate and collaborate with scientists internal and external to the organization to efficiently address priority questions and position the organization for influence and impact. They themselves advance research initiatives relevant to the Program’s primary strategies and a scientific body of work that models productivity, effective collaboration, thought leadership, and high impact science. They represent TNC and TNC Science externally in various fora, and routinely engage both technical and non-technical audiences including partners, stakeholders, industry, community groups, donors, and the media. They lead and assist in development of funding proposals to advance Conservancy strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Develop innovative scientific ideas and products to advance the Conservancy’s mission, including by leveraging the platform provided by TNC California’s network of land and water holdings.
• Lead, manage and mentor science staff and have responsibility for performance management and professional development.
• Work collaboratively, internally and externally, to develop conservation strategies.
• Maintain, strengthen, and leverage 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.
• Foster partnerships with a high degree of professionalism, interpersonal skills and awareness of partner differences.
• Work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, and support program objectives by working in a matrixed organization environment.
• Support development of clear strategic theories of change, and the internal systems to adaptively manage implementation and refinement of those plans.
• Persuasively represent TNC externally as a freshwater science expert.
• Deliver tools, biodiversity data, field services and training for staff and partners.
• Provide guidance and support for research, project development, and monitoring, including research conducted by partners, contractors, and grantees.
• Design and implement field surveys, experiments, and assessments.
• Draft project reports, manuscripts for scientific publication, and other science products, and oversee product development for direct reports.
• Develop and manage grants or contracts and write requests for proposals.
• Co-develop budgets and track spending.
• Work across geographic and ecosystem boundaries in California and collaborate with the science community to enhance the conservation practices of others to further TNC California’s reputation as a global leader in conservation science.
• Persuasively convey verbally and in writing the mission of TNC to diverse groups including senior leaders, donors, board members, business leaders, and elected officials.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, varying seasonally, in the US and/or internationally and may work in variable weather conditions at remote locations, hazardous terrain and/or under physically demanding circumstances.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Ph.D. in science related field and 8 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Supervisory experience, including motivating, coaching, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Experience conducting original research and publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience building relationships and collaborating successfully with a broad array of people.
• Experience fundraising and/or writing grants and research proposals.
• Experience designing, organizing and directing multiple complex projects of strategic importance and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience synthesizing and integrating research findings and lessons learned into conservation strategy.
• Experience communicating and presenting effectively to senior management.
• Experience networking extensively in scientific communities and maintaining strong relationships.
• Experience working on socio-ecological, political, and freshwater conservation issues in California.
• Experience with systematic conservation planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience leading and participating in coalitions that have successfully led to multi-benefit outcomes.
• Demonstrated leadership and visionary qualities and ability to work effectively with and through others in a decentralized and geographically-dispersed organization.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $128,000 – $275,500, depending on your geographical location (some examples below):
Chico and Mendocino County - $128,000 - $229,000
Santa Barbara, Sacramento, San Diego - $140,000 - $252,000
San Francisco and Los Angeles County - $153,000 - $275,000

Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization 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.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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We request Priority Protected Veteran & Disabled Referrals for all of our locations within the state.