Spatial Ecologist

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Climate Science, the Spatial Ecologist will be responsible for supporting Audubon’s science team with regional, national, and hemispheric bird conservation initiatives.

The Spatial Ecologist will conduct scientific analyses and apply knowledge and skills in data management, geoprocessing and spatial analysis, landscape ecology, climate science, ornithology, conservation biology, environmental and/or climate justice, and cartography to develop products such as reports or scientific publications. This role will assemble and prepare relevant datasets for analysis and generate spatial and quantitative data products. The Spatial Ecologist will also contribute to and/or lead the process of publishing Audubon science products including, but not limited to, datasets, peer-reviewed articles, and reports. This position participates in cross-functional teams, particularly with the spatial conservation planning and quantitative science teams and across the broader Conservation Division within which science is located.

Compensation:

$60,000 - $70,000 / year

Essential Functions

• Contribute to and develop scientific data products to support national climate science projects and the Climate Watch community science program.
• Lead and/or provide technical support including conducting and/or leading spatial data analysis, data management, grant writing and reporting, or data visualizations for projects across the other science team domains, such as migratory birds, metrics & monitoring, and conservation planning including Important Bird Areas.
• Conduct dataset management, literature reviews, and write reports and/or scientific publications.
• Perform statistical and/or spatial analyses, as well as other data analyses, using various processing packages in R, Python and ArcGIS Pro.
• Perform data collection and/or data acquisition, data processing, data sharing, and data management of biological, climate, and/or carbon data.
• Use spatial prioritization and optimization methodology to guide conservation efforts
• Serve as project lead to oversee the project development and completion, under the management of the Director of Climate Science, including coordination, communication, task management and other aspects of project management.
• Conduct presentations, either virtually or in-person, for professional conferences, meetings, and on internal and external working groups, such as other NGOs, Universities, and state and federal agencies.
• Help foster partnerships with scientists and staff in academic institutions, NGOs, state and
  federal agencies.
• Contribute to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and other Audubon community initiatives through participating in the science team’s EDIB working group.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in climate science, environmental studies, ecology, biology, ornithology, spatial ecology, conservation biology, environmental and/or climate justice, or a related field required; PhD a plus. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years professional GIS or applied science experience.
• Proficiency scripting statistical and spatial analyses in R and/or Python.
• Demonstrated cartographic (map design) experience.
• Proficiency in the use of ArcGISPro, ArcGIS 10+; familiarity with ArcGIS Online strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel.
• Extensive experience working with large databases, especially related to biodiversity (e.g., eBird) preferred.
• Extensive experience working with spatially explicit environmental data, specifically related to climate, wetlands, land use, and/or carbon data preferred.
• Experience working with social science data, specifically at the intersection between people and nature and/or environmental or climate justice a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Scientific writing background preferred, may support peer-reviewed publications.
• Self-motivated, excited to learn, and willing to tackle problems independently.
• Must possess excellent judgment in scientific analysis and team cooperation, ability to work independently, and collaborate well with team members across a decentralized organization.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, and manage teams and projects ethically and in a timely manner.
• Self-starter with a strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently.
• Experience overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals and project deadlines, conducting required reporting, and tracking, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Interest in working to promote bird conservation across the US and Americas, and passion for the mission of the National Audubon Society
• Experience in ornithology, especially birds of the Americas, climate science/ecology preferred.
• Experience with environmental or climate justice preferred.

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.