California, USA

Location is negotiable within California.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Grounded in science, we develop innovative solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity; respect for people, communities, and cultures; and a collaborative, nonpartisan approach. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world.

The California Chapter is TNC's largest state program and one of the largest, most dynamic conservation organizations in the country. With approximately 275 employees, from financial analysts and fundraisers to ecologists and economists, we are currently invested in 14 strategies to address the biggest challenges facing California and the world, including numerous community-based projects designed to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of conservation. Over the past six decades, we have protected 1.4 million acres, 5,000 miles of streams, and 3.8 million acres of ocean habitat in California and off the coast.

The California Chapter believes that we are most effective when we are embedded in our state's communities, politics, media, and environmental issues. For this reason, and to reduce our carbon footprint when meeting in person, all staff live in California, including those in a home office.

Finally, we are passionate about holding the middle ground in American politics and civic life and doing our part to make conservation a shared national value. The hallmark of The Nature Conservancy is its "big tent" approach, engaging people across the political and ideological spectrum to find solutions that last. We are not activists. We do not litigate. We do not take public stands on matters unrelated to our purpose. We welcome everyone. Everyone in our organization should therefore be adept at working with people who may not share their personal values or opinions. We ask all employees to embrace the critical strategic position of our brand and organization as centrist and non-partisan. It is the foundation of our success.

The Senior Ocean Scientist leads and manages a diverse portfolio of applied ocean conservation science initiatives associated with California and the greater Pacific region. These initiatives may include, but are not limited to, community-based cooperative fisheries management, leveraging technology to improve fisheries data collection and management decision-making, mitigation of shark and vulnerable species bycatch, elimination of whale entanglement, and other pressing fisheries challenges. The Senior Ocean Scientist works to advance these elements of the CA Oceans Team fisheries strategy by bringing creativity and vision to identify solutions and develop innovative scientific approaches, analyses, tools, and decision-making frameworks to address unsustainable fishing and make the seas safer for wildlife. They initiate, lead, and leverage a network of internal and external partners, scientists, and collaborators to develop a robust science strategy that fills key information gaps and advances the goals and objectives of the CA Oceans Program. They provide thought leadership and support to multi-disciplinary teams, write proposals, manage grants and contracts, conduct field research, manage data, conduct statistical analyses, submit peer-reviewed publications and reports, and communicate ocean science to broad audiences.

If you're looking for a career where you can find purpose, come join the California Oceans Team at The Nature Conservancy as a Senior Ocean Scientist. We're looking for a passionate, dedicated person to represent The Nature Conservancy as a fisheries and ocean conservation expert particularly focused on the challenges of overfishing, whale entanglement, bycatch, and limited fisheries data and decision-making capacity. You will design, lead, and conduct applied conservation research with partners to help set priorities, advance Oceans Program Initiatives, and measure conservation outcomes related to improving the sustainability of fisheries. You will lead all aspects of scientific projects, including grant writing, experimental design, partnership development, data collection and analysis, and technical report and peer-reviewed publication generation and delivery. You will help to conceive and implement strategic initiatives, secure funding, and manage budgets, grants, and contracts to deliver science to meet strategy objectives. You will work collaboratively within a matrixed, multi-disciplinary team while building strategic partnerships with community stakeholders, academics, agencies, NGOs, and other key partners. We are looking for a resourceful and innovative leader who can communicate science to various audiences, including non-scientists, media, and donors through presentations, publications, and outreach materials. At times, you may have to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Strong written and verbal communication skills, experience managing multifaceted projects, and an entrepreneurial spirit are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!

* Master's Degree in ocean science related field and 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in marine science and conservation.
* Experience directing a marine science or conservation project of strategic importance and working with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a set of outcomes.
* Experience using common statistical and/or mapping software applications.
* Experience conducting broad and diverse literature reviews and synthesizing findings for both research and general audiences.
* Excellent communication skills, written, spoken and graphical.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
* Strong writing, editing and fact-checking abilities for academic papers, reports, media pieces, and presentations.
* Experience with quantitative modeling, machine learning, and statistics including collecting, processing, and analyzing environmental data.
* Demonstrated ability to create data visualizations and other graphics for papers and reports.
* Demonstrated ability to deliver conservation outcomes supported by robust scientific foundations.
* Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and maintain strong relationships.
* Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

Each person who works at TNC contributes to our goal of protecting nature for future generations. Another one of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe feel that their unique contributions are valued. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "You'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people." To learn more, head to YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

We're proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other benefits that support work-life balance.

If you're interested in working with us, please apply-we'd love to hear from you.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $85,000 - $120,000 for annual base salary. 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.

Our salary bands are tied to geographical locations of our employees. To be more precise in our salary range transparency efforts for this role, please find the additional information below:
San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County is $102,000 - $120,000
Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego is $93,500 - $110,000
Arcata, Chico, Fort Bragg is $85,000 - $100,000

Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 55668, submit your materials (resume and cover letter) online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 8:59 PM PST on October 3rd, 2024. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

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 applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.